Side Quests: Vaer Reef

Side Quests from Vaer Reef are optional quests given by Vaer Reef NPCs. They are unlocked by progressing through the main storyline and reaching affection milestones. They're the source of unique items and will on rare occasions unlock Chance Machines or other side quests. Quests have been condensed for readability. Full transcripts are available at each section.

Warning

This page contains spoilers for the Dappervolk story, pets, and/or lore.

Incomplete Page

This page is incomplete. You can help Dappervolk Wiki by expanding it.

Olievar: Marine Field Study

Quest Information
Speak With	Olievar
Prerequisites	Main Quest: The Great Festival
Description	"Olievar asks you for help in studying the reef."

Full Transcript

You can feel the water dripping off your clothes the second you walk into Olie's terrarium, the weight of them becoming so much heavier than before. There is a warm, fluffy towel on a hook waiting for you, and a shelf for your breathing apparatus. Olie sits at a desk covered with paper books and Vaer Reef-style clay tablets. The haphazard piles stack up in crooked towers, dangerously close to crashing down with the wrong move.

Olievar: Rather strange to be dry again after swimming for so long, isn't it? I always feel heavier afterwards.

a) I like the surface more.
- Olievar: Dry land does have its charms, doesn't it? Books, paper, parchment... Ah, I don't mean to hyperfocus on reading material! There are other things I miss about the surface, too.
b) I like being underwater more.
- Olievar: It's quite beautiful down here, isn't it? The reefs are enchanting, and swimming over town always makes me feel so light.
c) I'm used to both.
- Olievar: Ah, yes. You can travel between the surface and Vaer Reef quite easily. I can't say I don't envy how easy it is for you.

Olievar: By far the best thing about Vaer Reef, though, is the sheer amount of unique flora and fauna. I haven't seen so much biodiversity in such a small space before. Every time I think I've begun to understand the Reef's ecosystem, something new surprises me. Take the sea beasts, for example. I thought I had a working model of at least the basics of their behavior, but recently they've been acting like completely different creatures, more aggressive and territorial than they've ever been before. I've been planning to try and find one to observe the changes in their behavior. Would you like to come with me?

a) Sure!
b) Not today.
- Olievar: Ah, well. I'm sure I'll be working on this project for quite some time. You're welcome to join me if you ever have the time.
- Leave.
- Olievar: I try not to go on my expeditions alone any more. I barely escaped with my life the last time I did. Have you ever seen a sea beast in person? They're magnificent. One flip of a fin could crush this terrarium like an egg.
- a) I'll go sea beast watching with you.
- b) Leave.

Olievar: Excellent. I'm very pleased to have a partner on my expedition. Everyone else in Vaer Reef... Aside from the pirates and Xarion's deputies, most people here would never even dream of deliberately seeking out a sea beast. Even Clione and Pyrifera disapprove of my plans. They spent so long trying to dissuade me that I eventually had to pretend to be convinced.

a) You lied to them?
- Olievar: I didn't lie! Or, well, not exactly. I told them I'd think about it and simply... allowed them to believe that they were more persuasive than they actually are.
b) Is it really that dangerous?
- Olievar: It's risky, but I assure you we'll take all possible precautions. You don't have to be concerned.
c) Maybe you should stay away.
- Olievar: It's risky, but I assure you that we'll take all possible precautions. You don't have to be concerned.
d) You seem very determined.
- Olievar: Why wouldn't I be? I've stumbled on something completely unprecedented in all my studies of Vaer Reef!

Olievar: I admit that my curiosity sometimes gets the better of me, but... I feel as if I'm on the cusp of an important discovery here. I can't just give up on learning so much more just because of a little risk. The sea beasts have become more aggressive, but they're not deliberately harmful. Just like any other animals, they're frightened by strangers and protective of their territory, but they're not malicious at all. If we're very careful and follow my plan to the letter, they won't even notice we're there.

a) Still sounds dangerous.
b) Aren’t you scared?
- Olievar: Scared? Not at all. I'm confident in my plan to avoid detection. Besides, if I let myself wallow in fear I'd freeze up in the field instead of behaving in a rational manner.
c) I trust you.
d) What’s your plan?

Olievar: The sea beasts' size will work against them. They may have excellent senses, but compared to them we're small enough that we won't be easy to notice. With enough luck, they won't even know we're there.

Olie lights up when they're talking about their plan, their normally subdued smile stretching wide and bright. They move their hands as they talk, neat and subtle gestures punctuating each sentence.

Olievar: Sea beasts can sense the slightest distortions in the water, so they're going to detect our presence no matter what we do. Instead of attempting to hide, we're going to disguise ourselves. If all they see when they look at us is just another floating clump of seaweed, they'll dismiss us instead of considering us a threat or worse, prey.

a) Do you think they’d really eat us?
- Olievar: Well... They typically don't go for city-dwellers. Though it's not completely unheard of... Ah. We'll just have to ensure they don't.
b) How are we going to do that?
c) What if they eat seaweed, too?
d) Wait for Olie to tell you their plan.

Olievar: We'll need some kelp-like plants first to construct our disguise. I have enough for myself, but if we're disguising you as well, which we should, given that the alternative is getting caught by giant, ravenous animals... enough to cover yourself should do.

Acquire 5 different plants of some kind for Olievar.

a) I think I have everything we need for my disguise.
b) I’ll be back.
- Olievar: Ah, the things we do in pursuit of knowledge. I feel like I'm following in the footsteps of the frontier scientists of the past. I may seem like an ordinary academic, but that doesn't mean I can't have a taste for adventure. I'm fascinated by the sea beasts' behavior, but I do still have to keep up with my experiments on native flora. When we go off on our expedition, I'll have Clione come in to check on the plants.

Olievar: Excellent. You can put those... Hmm. Over in the corner.

The floor of Olie's terrarium is covered in piles of seaweed and rope, tiny anemones and minnows in glass bowls scattered around them in a circle. They weave pieces of seaweed together, consulting with a battered journal as they go.

Olievar: The seaweed has to be dense enough to hide you, but still look like natural growth. If we tie algae to the tips, the minnows I've caught will float around you, making you virtually identical to any other part of the ecosystem. It might be difficult to keep everything in place if you move, but hopefully this wire will prevent the seaweed from flattening too much when you swim.

You're not sure if Olie's talking to you or not as they assemble the rest of your disguise. They're definitely explaining how the costume works, but it's an absent, almost unconscious kind of commentary. You have a feeling that they wouldn't even notice if you left.

Olievar: There. Congratulations, world-hopper. You can now officially become a bush, albeit a bit of an odd one. I'm sure the sea beasts won't notice a difference though. Shall we test it out?

a) Sure, I guess.
b) I don’t want to.
- Olievar: Well, we really shouldn't try to observe sea-beasts with untested equipment, so we'll have to try whether you like it or not.
c) Let’s do it!
d) Shrug.

You and Olie swim out of their terrarium, holding your disguises. They show you how to drape the "seaweed" over yourself like a cape, your entire body completely covered by the fronds. There's only just enough of a gap between the strands for you to see through, but you can peek at Olie well enough. Covered in softly shifting seaweed, the only sign that they're even in there is the barest glint of sunlight off their suit. Olie shows you how to maneuver while holding on to the small twists of rope at the bottom of your seaweed suit, and the two of you creep along the ocean floor together.

Olievar: And now for the most important test of all…

a) Are we going to try and destroy the suits?
- Olievar: I should hope not. It took so long to construct them, and I wouldn't like to waste our time and materials. Besides, these are built for stealth, not stability. It doesn't take much to cut seaweed apart.
b) Are we going to sneak up on somebody?
- Olievar: Precisely.
c) I’m ready!
d) What is it?

Olievar: If these seaweed suits pass muster with another person, that's how we know we're prepared to pit them against a sea beast. I have just the candidate in mind for our experiment, too.

Olie takes you to one of the coral reefs near Pyri's side of town, your seaweed suits trailing behind you as you swim. It's hard to maneuver when you're surrounded in a dark green mass, but somehow both of you make it through.

Olievar: Our goal is to approach Pyrifera without being detected. If we can greet her without her seeing us at all, we'll have mastered the art of stealth to my satisfaction.

Pyrifera is picking through starfish with a frown on her face, slipping the ones that pass muster into a sack hanging by her hip. She stands next to a particularly large chunk of orange coral, a field of dense seaweed growing tall enough to reach her knees.

a) Try to blend in with the seaweed field.
- You lie down on the sand and shuffle forward on your belly, seaweed blending in almost perfectly with your surroundings. It's a little awkward, but you're moving slowly for stealth anyway. Olie follows along with you, as careful and deliberate in their movements as you are in yours, and Pyri doesn't suspect a thing. If you weren't looking for them, you wouldn't know they were there at all, and when they jump up with a smile you're as surprised as anyone else.
- Olievar: Pyrifera! It worked!
- Pyrifera: I don't have anything to steal! You're wasting your... Olie? World-hopper, is that you?
b) Duck behind the orange coral.
- As Pyri leans away to inspect even more starfish, you approach from behind the large coral, letting its bulk hide you from her. With the seaweed suit covering your entire body, you look like nothing more than a shadow. Olie follows along with you, as careful and deliberate in their movements as you are in yours, and Pyri doesn't suspect a thing. If you weren't looking for them, you wouldn't know they were there at all, and when they jump up with a smile you're as surprised as anyone else.
- Olievar: Pyrifera! It worked!
- Pyrifera: I don't have anything to steal! You're wasting your... Olie? World-hopper, is that you?

c) Swim higher and approach from above.
- You wait till you're out of Pyri's line of sight to start swimming upwards, approaching her in a wide arc far above her head. It's impossible to disguise yourself up in the ocean water, but Pyri stares at the ground when she walks. Olie follows along with you, as careful and deliberate in their movements as you are in yours, and Pyri doesn't suspect a thing. If you weren't looking for them, you wouldn't know they were there at all, and when they jump up with a smile you're as surprised as anyone else.
- Olievar: Pyrifera! It worked!
- Pyrifera: I don't have anything to steal! You're wasting your... Olie? World-hopper, is that you?

d) Talk to her like a normal person.
- Pyrifera: World-hopper. It's you. What are... why are you pretending to be seaweed? You don't have to tell me if you don't want to.
- While Pyri's attention is fully focused on you and your curious actions, Olie sneaks over from behind, looking like an inexplicably wriggling mass of seaweed as they inch over. When they finally reach Pyri, they spring up with a shout.
- Olievar: Pyrifera! Our plans worked!

Olievar: Remember when I told you that I was planning to do some hands-on, personal observation of the sea beasts? Well, this is how the world-hopper and I are going to accomplish that.

Pyrifera: I remember. It didn't sound like a very safe idea. I mean, I'm not a biologist or a scientist at all. But it sounds like you could die. And that's generally a good reason not to do things.

Olievar: There is some small element of risk, yes, but we won't be the first people to get up close with sea beasts and live. Wras's pirates do the same thing every day, and most of them are alive, aren't they?

Pyrifera: I hope you know what you're doing. Because if you slip up, the sea beasts will eat you whole. Or crush you. Or maim you and leave you to slowly starve on the ocean floor. I'm not strong enough or skilled enough to save you if you get into trouble, so... please don't.

Olievar: We'll do our best.

a) I’m starting to get a little worried, too.
b) Live fast, die young!
- Olievar: Ah, that's not necessarily how I'd put it... I really don't intend for either of us to die, you know.
c) Maybe Pyri’s right.
d) Trust us. We’ll be fine.

Olievar: If it'll make either of you feel better, I've spent an alarming amount of time speaking to Wras's crew members, who've been attempting to tame the sea beasts lately, or at least direct them well enough to use them as diversions. They're dangerous, yes, but they're animals, not monsters. They have the same instincts and desires as any other living being. Clione thinks it's a good idea, anyway. She said that I was just as adventurous as the explorer-priests in Fins of The Ancient Valley.

Pyrifera: Yes, but... I feel like I should remind you again that in that play, the crew sacrificed themselves to distract the kraken from the farmers in the village... and then they died.

Olievar: Ah. Yes. That was indeed part of the plot. Well, let's try not to sacrifice ourselves for each other, world-hopper. Speaking of farmers, though, haven't sea beasts been sighted near the minnow farms along the outskirts of the Reefs? Those are near your neighborhood, aren't they? Have you heard anything at the market?

Pyrifera: Only that the sea beasts have been grazing on farmland instead of staying in the wilderness. Some of Xarion's deputies chased them off, but I'm not sure where they went next.

Olievar: Hmm. World-hopper, if you were a gigantic and ravenous aquatic animal, where would you flee to?

a) Into the city.
- Pyrifera: I haven't heard about any sea beasts coming into the city. There isn't as much for them to eat here.
b) Maybe to some other farms?
- Olievar: That's very likely. They'd have to seek out a different food source somewhere.
c) I’d hide in the canyons.
- Olievar: If they've been intimidated by the deputies and chased off their usual habitats... they could be feeling threatened enough to seek shelter.
d) Out to the open ocean.
- Olievar: Fleeing entirely, hmm? I suppose sea beasts don't exactly have a sense of strategy... They could just have attempted to escape as quickly as possible.

Olievar: No matter where they went, we'll find them. Even if it takes us the rest of our lives! Though, er, ideally it won't take more than an afternoon, but you get my point.

Pyrifera: Good luck. I hope you don't need it.

Olie seems excited as the two of you swim out to the minnow farms. They move faster than you'd expect someone wearing a metal suit to, zipping through the water as if they're completely unencumbered by their outfit.

Olievar: The hunt is on. The game is afoot! There's always something so thrilling about being on the trail of an imminent discovery, don't you think?

a) That’s not really my idea of excitement.
- Olievar: I suppose everyone has different passions. Most of my childhood acquaintances would probably share your view.
b) Sure, I guess.
c) I can’t wait to find the sea beasts!
d) I’m still a little scared.
- Olievar: I might be as well, but that only makes our expedition all the more exhilarating!

When you arrive, the minnow farm shows clear signs of devastation. The fine nets that cover each minnow pen are torn to shreds, and there's a chunk missing from the barn's walls. Tiny minnows swarm all over the farm, spilling out into the street.

Olievar: Time to begin our search.

a) Look for a trail of destruction.
b) Ask the farmers if they know anything.
- Olievar: That was an excellent idea. According to the farmers, when the sea beasts finally ate their fill they went off toward the canyons. There should be some kind of trail...
c) Pick a random direction.
- Olievar: There? Are you sure? We should probably think a little more before we go tearing off in a random direction.

Tangled bits of netting and scattered coral lie strewn around the ocean floor. You can't be completely sure the debris hasn't moved with the water, though, and it's strewn all over the farm.

Olievar: If we look closely enough, perhaps we'll find a pattern, and from that extrapolate something about which direction the sea beast left in.

You look around at the ruined farmlands, filled with trampled kelp and stray minnows. It's going to take a lot of work before you can even think about comprehending this mess.

Raise your comprehension by 10 to find the trail of the sea beast.

a) I think I have an idea now. (Increased 10/10 Times)
b) I’ll be back.

Olie seems to be measuring different bits of debris. You're not sure what this has to do with finding a path, but they seem to be enjoying themselves.

Olievar: Ah! If you think about it... Yes, it's quite obvious. World-hopper, you're brilliant. Let's go!

The water around you gets heavier as you follow the trail downwards into an underwater canyon. Your seaweed disguise slows your movement and makes it harder to see through the darkening water, but you're successfully hidden against the canyon rocks. All you can see of Olie is a dark shadow against the light. They're almost completely silent as they swim, guiding you with gentle nudges and whispered words.

Olievar: Forward more... to the right... There! Do you see?

For a moment, you're not sure what you're supposed to be looking at. Then, as Olie guides your gaze, what you thought was a particularly large hill detaches itself from the landscape and swims upwards, its massive silhouette blocking out the light. The sea beast looks like no animal you've ever seen before. It's so large you can only take in parts of it at a time - the serrated spikes on its tail, the long, powerful fins, the two layers of flashing white teeth. Beside you, Olie sighs in pure awe.

Olievar: Isn't it magnificent? There's something beautiful about an animal with all that strength and grace.

a) It looks kinda scary.
b) It looks kinda weird.
c) It’s incredible.
d) You sure do like sea beasts a lot.

Olie seems to not notice your reply, too absorbed in their study of the sea beast. Unaware of your gaze, it does a lazy flip in the water, red-orange scales glinting.

Olievar: At times like this, I really wish I could use paper and pen underwater. Do you realize that we're the only two surface dwellers to ever see this magnificent beast in its natural habitat? It's not just curiosity that pulled me here today, you know. I wanted to know, yes, more than anything in the world, but... Even aside from that, there's something about being the first to see something so incredible. It's like this spark of pure discovery, proof that we're on the frontiers of science. Nothing else has ever made me feel so alive.

a) I feel it, too.
- Olievar: We're kindred spirits, world-hopper.
b) So you’re just in it for the thrills?
- Olievar: Don't discount my dedication to science. I wouldn't go so far if there wasn't something to be gained from this trip. Knowledge about sea beasts and their behavior is valuable, especially since they've been approaching the outer farms. Though... to some extent... Well, if I only cared about pure knowledge and didn't have a taste for adventure at all, then I would've stayed on the surface, don't you think?
c) That’s kind of weird.
- Olievar: Not many understand how I feel. I'm accustomed to mockery.

As the sea beast rolls, you can see one massive eye open in a slow blink. It opens its massive mouth, baring its layers of teeth once more. Olie shrinks back against the canyon walls.

Olievar: Is it... It can't be looking at us, can it? We're so small, and far enough away.

With such volume and pure percussive force that you feel the waters' vibrations pin you back against the canyon, the sea beast roars. Its call builds to a rhythm that resonates deep within your stomach, an undeniable pull quickening your heartbeat.

Olievar: They've never screamed like this before. There have been no recorded instances at all in any of the books I've read. Something completely new is happening here, world-hopper!

The sea beast turns, one slow movement powerful enough to flatten the sea-grass growing at the canyons' edge with its force. Its roar only grows louder, each yell sending a new wave of force vibrating through the water. You're not sure why, but it almost feels like it's calling you.

The roars send waves through the water, you try to brace yourself against the impact.

a) Swim up to the sea beast.
- Olievar: World-hopper! What are you doing?
- Ignoring Olie's frantic whisper, you swim towards the sea beast, letting your seaweed disguise slough off you and drop into the canyon below. The beast falls silent, one massive eye staring at you.
- a) Listen closely to its calls.
  - You've become more and more used to the way the water shudders with each of the sea beasts' roars. After a while, you're no longer shocked by each violent wave, and the sea beast starts sounding... almost sad. Longing. Almost subconsciously, you start to anticipate the sea beast's next call before it can come out of the beast's mouth. It seems to be beckoning you. Luring you closer. (repeats)
- b) Sing back to it.
  - Your voice is pure and strong, each note resonating in the water. It doesn't have the force of the sea beast's roars, but you know that you've been heard. The sea beast calms, going still as it waits for your next move. You think back to its earlier song, and can't help but wonder what it would sound like if the two of you sang together. Maybe the sea beast would sing for you again, if only you came a little closer. (repeats)
- c) Get up in its face.
- d) Stare back at it.
  - In this light, the orange of the sea-beasts' scales shines gold. It holds your gaze, looking almost content to wait for you to make the first move. Something in you responds to the minute twitches of its fins, the steady light in its eyes. The sea beast bares its teeth, and it looks like less of a threat than a challenge. It's daring you to come closer.
    - a) Try to pet the sea beast.
      - You feel the slightest scrape of scales against your skin as the sea beast jerks away, a single mighty flick of its tail sending you flying through the water. Your eyes slide closed, and you find yourself looking through the sea beast's eyes. Everything seems so small to it, Vaer Reef nothing but a collection of tiny specks on the horizons. Colors are different, at once flatter and more vibrant. You see yourself, just a speck but somehow shining with some otherworldly light. Like a distant star, or a candle easily snuffed out by a stray gust of wind.
    - b) Put a hand out to it.
      - You reach out halfway, hand outstretched like you're trying to convince a stray cat to come closer, and the sea beast inches near. It pushes its head up into your head, smooth scales rasping against your skin. (repeats)
    - c) Escape.
    - d) Sing. (unlocks after trying the above)
      - Your song is bold and confident, rising from the depths of your lungs. The sea beast joins in with a quieter, gentler version of its previous calls, harmonizing with you in deep, resonant growls. The sea beast's song surrounds you, your own voice a high counterpoint to low notes that echo through the water. You can feel it rumbling through the water around you, louder and louder until it feels like the ocean itself is singing to you, telling you...
      - Your eyes slide closed, and you find yourself looking through the sea beast's eyes. Everything seems so small to it, Vaer Reef nothing but a collection of tiny specks on the horizons. Colors are different, at once flatter and more vibrant. In the place of you, the sea beast sees a young animal, singing much like you are. The staff on her back shines with rosy light, the soft ears on her head moving with every note. The sea beast sees her as it sees you. You're both something different. You're both from another world.
- e) Escape. (unlocks after trying the above)
b) Hide in the canyons.
- You're frozen, unmoving and completely hidden from sight, but somehow the sea beast seems to know exactly where you are. It swims to you, right in front of the shadowy nook where you and Olie have wedged yourselves, and waits.
  - a) Try to determine a pattern to its calls.
    - The beast screams again, more shockwaves of sound slamming through the water. It takes all you can to stay upright, but eventually the yells grow quieter and slowly stop. The beast eyes you with an unreadable glare, almost as if waiting for your response.
      - a) Escape.
        The sea beast turns away as you swim away from it, its tail flicking contemptuously in the water. A wave of force slams into you, knocking you back. Your eyes slide closed, and you find yourself looking through the sea beast's eyes. Everything seems so small to it, Vaer Reef nothing but a collection of tiny specks on the horizons. Colors are different, at once flatter and more vibrant. You see yourself, just a speck but somehow shining with some otherworldly light. Like a distant star, or a candle easily snuffed out by a stray gust of wind.
      - b) Swim up to the sea beast.
  - b) Sing back to it.
  - c) Swim up to the sea beast.
  - d) Try to swim away.
c) Try to swim away.
- You make a break for it, cloak of seaweed flapping wildly behind you, but the sea beast follows. Faster than something so large has any right to be, it arcs over you and sinks back down, blocking your escape.
  - a) Swim up to the sea beast.
  - b) Try to determine a pattern to its calls.
    - The beast screams again, more shockwaves of sound slamming through the water. It takes all you can to stay upright, but eventually the yells grow quieter and slowly stop. The beast eyes you with an unreadable glare, almost as if waiting for your response.
      - a) Escape.
      - b) Swim up to the sea beast.
  - c) Sing back to it.

Olievar: World-hopper!

You open your eyes, and you're falling, drifting slowly through the water. All you can see of the sea-beast is the back of its powerful tail as it swims away. Your back slams against unforgiving metal as Olie catches you in their arms, slowing your descent.

Olievar: That was amazing! That sea beast... Was it really trying to communicate with you? Why? How? I was almost entirely certain that it was going to eat you. I'm very glad it didn't! Tell me everything.

a) Tell Olie about the vision.
- Olievar: Fascinating... Do you think it was similar to your vision from Vaer? Perhaps they're related, somehow. Oh, I have so many questions!
b) It was scary.
- Olievar: Oh, quite certainly. Watching you almost get eaten was bad enough. You must have feared for your own life as well.
c) That was all your fault!
- Olievar: Ah. I suppose it was, for bringing you out here. Still, you can't say the expedition wasn't fruitful, even if you did almost become sea beast breakfast.

Olievar: Oh, I have so much to write about. So much research to do. So many observations to record! I must return to my terrarium.

They start off towards Vaer Reef, before stopping halfway and swimming back to you, a sheepish grin on their face.

Olievar: Ah, apologies. I almost forgot to give you your wages for the day. And it's terribly rude of me to run off without a goodbye, isn't it? Take no notice of me. I'm just excited because, well. This could change our entire understanding of sea beasts! Are they more sentient than previously thought? Could they have an entire society down in the depths? I'm very glad I took you on my expedition today. I've observed sea beasts in their natural habitat before, but today was entirely different, and that was because of you. You're something else, world-hopper. Something new. And I, for one, can't wait to discover what else in Vaer Reef you change.

Rewards: Olievar's Seadrop Cake, 2000 Potatoes, +5 Affection with Olievar

Olievar: Rather strange to be dry again after swimming for so long, isn't it? I always feel heavier afterwards.

a) I like the surface more.
b) I like being underwater more.
c) I'm used to both.

Olievar describes how the sea beasts have acted unusually destructive lately and asks you to accompany them to find out why.

a) Sure!
b) Not today.

They tell you that Clione and Pyrifera did not approve of their plans. Olievar told them that they would stay home but wants to go through with it anyway.

a) You lied to them?
b) Is it really that dangerous?
c) Maybe you should stay away.
d) You seem very determined.

Olievar explains that the sea beasts are just like any other animal and aren't inherently malicious.

a) Still sounds dangerous.
b) Aren’t you scared?
c) I trust you.
d) What’s your plan?

They tell you their plan of disguising both of you as clumps of seaweed.

a) Do you think they’d really eat us?
b) How are we going to do that?
c) What if they eat seaweed, too?
d) Wait for Olie to tell you their plan.

Acquire 5 different plants of some kind for Olievar.

List of Plants
Type	Items & Variants
Hatching Items	Cabbage (Hatches Cabbager) Gooseberry (Hatches Goosebird) Misshapen Turnip (Hatches Runty Turnipling) Pumpkin (Hatches Pumpkin Pup) Plump Turnip (Hatches Turnipling) Reef Seedling (Hatches Gloomy Marine Imp)
Hatching Components	Aquatic Flower Bell Flower Funky Turnip Seeds Moss Leaf Sprig Mountain Flower Night Bloom Flower Turnip Flower
Three's Forest Clothing	Barclay's Flower Mantle Common, Uncommon, Alchemy Barclay's Garland Common, Uncommon, Alchemy Barclay's Petals Glume's Leaves Glume's Rose Eyepatch Common, Uncommon, Alchemy Glume's Vine Chain Common, Uncommon, Alchemy Glume's Vine Shoes Common, Uncommon, Alchemy Irin's Jacket Common, Uncommon, Alchemy Irin's Succulent Hair Clips Common, Uncommon, Alchemy Mycel's Spores
Vaer Reef Clothing	Clione's Coral Common, Uncommon, Alchemy Pyrifera's Hairstyle Common, Uncommon, Alchemy Pyrifera's Harvest Common, Uncommon, Alchemy Pyrifera's Kelp Skirt Common, Uncommon, Alchemy Vaer Reef Kelp Garden

Olievar: Shall we test it out?

a) Sure, I guess.
b) I don’t want to.
c) Let’s do it!
d) Shrug.

You put on the suits and swim out.

Olievar: And now for the most important test of all…

a) Are we going to try and destroy the suits?
b) Are we going to sneak up on somebody?
c) I’m ready!
d) What is it?

The plan is to test out the suit by sneaking up on Pyrifera.

a) Try to blend in with the seaweed field.
b) Duck behind the orange coral.
c) Swim higher and approach from above.
d) Talk to her like a normal person.

The plan works. Pyrifera tells you to be careful when encountering the sea beasts.

a) I’m starting to get a little worried, too.
b) Live fast, die young!
c) Maybe Pyri’s right.
d) Trust us. We’ll be fine.

Olievar: Hmm. World-hopper, if you were a gigantic and ravenous aquatic animal, where would you flee to?

a) Into the city.
b) Maybe to some other farms?
c) I’d hide in the canyons.
d) Out to the open ocean.

Olievar: The hunt is on. The game is afoot! There's always something so thrilling about being on the trail of an imminent discovery, don't you think?

a) That’s not really my idea of excitement.
b) Sure, I guess.
c) I can’t wait to find the sea beasts!
d) I’m still a little scared.

You visit a farm destroyed by the sea beasts to find a trail.

a) Look for a trail of destruction.
b) Ask the farmers if they know anything.
c) Pick a random direction.

Raise your comprehension by 10 to find the trail of the sea beast.

You follow the trail and find a gigantic sea beast.

Olievar: Isn't it magnificent? There's something beautiful about an animal with all that strength and grace.

a) It looks kinda scary.
b) It looks kinda weird.
c) It’s incredible.
d) You sure do like sea beasts a lot.

Olievar describes the excitement they feel of being the first surface dwellers to see a sea beast.

a) I feel it, too.
b) So you’re just in it for the thrills?
c) That’s kind of weird.

The sea beast starts roaring. It seems like it's calling you.

a) Swim up to the sea beast.
- a) Listen closely to its calls.
  - It sounds sad. (Repeat Branch)
- b) Sing back to it.
- c) Get up in its face.
- d) Stare back at it.
  - a) Try to pet the sea beast.
  - b) Put a hand out to it.
    - (Repeat branch)
  - c) Escape.
    - d) Sing.
  - e) Escape.
b) Hide in the canyons.
- a) Try to determine a pattern to its calls.
  - a) Escape.
  - b) Swim up to the sea beast.
- b) Sing back to it.
- c) Swim up to the sea beast.
- d) Try to swim away.
c) Try to swim away.
- a) Swim up to the sea beast.
- b) Try to determine a pattern to its calls.
  - a) Escape.
  - b) Swim up to the sea beast.
- c) Sing back to it.

Olievar: That was amazing! That sea beast... Was it really trying to communicate with you? Why? How? I was almost entirely certain that it was going to eat you. I'm very glad it didn't! Tell me everything.

a) Tell Olie about the vision.
b) It was scary.
c) That was all your fault!

You return to Vaer Reef. Olievar thanks you and pays you for your work.

Quest Rewards
Stat Rewards	2,000 Potatoes	+5 Affection with Olievar
Item Rewards	Olievar's Seadrop Cake

Olievar: A Study Of Origins

Quest Information
Speak With	Olievar
Prerequisites	500 Affection
Description	"In the process of a trade, Olievar makes a discovery that brings up old memories"

Full Transcript

Olievar: World-hopper!

For once, Olie doesn't seem distracted when they greet you. In fact, they seem almost pleased to be interrupted from cleaning their desk, abandoning the task almost immediately to come chat.

Olievar: I'm very happy to see you. How are you? How have your travels been? Have you seen anything interesting since the last time we met? Ah, actually, are you hungry? I should have some kelpmash left from teatime…

Olievar: I'm getting ahead of myself. My apologies. I'm slated to visit Wras later in order to procure, ah... certain items from the surface. Would you like to come with me? Visiting him is always a fascinating experience.

a) Sure thing.
b) Maybe some other time.
- Olievar: Life underwater would be downright unbearable if I couldn't have any of my creature comforts from the surface. Imagine not having access to any of the surface's scientific literature at all!
  - a) I can go with you to see Wras.
  - b) Maybe some other time.
    - Olie begins organizing one of their bookshelves, but they're soon distracted by one of the books. They end up sitting on the floor reading, with little progress made on their chores.

Olie's in a good mood as you head over to one of Wras's hideouts. They pick their way through the ruins with surprising ease, avoiding the tripwires and traps that Wras has set up to catch unsuspecting trespassers.

Olievar: I quite like conversing with Wras, but I'll admit that having to negotiate makes me a bit of a wreck. I never know what to expect, and I'm certainly not any good at haggling.

a) Wras is pretty scary.
- Olievar: Ah, yes, I suppose he might seem intimidating, but never fear! After the adventures we've had together, especially with the sea beasts, one local pirate can't be much harm, can he?
b) Isn’t everything he sells, you know, stolen?
- Olievar: Er... yes, but... I try not to think about it too much.
c) Wras is the greatest! I love that guy.
- Olievar: He's quite personable. Not the most reliable man, but very entertaining.
d) You gotta do what you gotta do, I guess.
- Olievar: Precisely.

You don't even hear footsteps or feel a single ripple in the water as someone lands neatly between you and Olie, slinging an arm around each of your shoulders.

Wras: Talking about me behind my back, huh?

a) Wras!
- Wras: That's me. Don't wear out the name.
b) Only good things, I promise.
- Wras: I always know I can rely on you for some nice, empty flattery, world-hopper. 'S why you're my favorite.
c) Scream.
- Olievar lets out a similar shriek. Wras only laughs, reveling in your startled discomfort.
d) Lash out instinctively.
- Wras easily dodges your panicked flail, leaning just out of the way.

Olievar: Wras. Back from a long day of swashbuckling, I assume? You know, the world-hopper and I can be quite the risk-takers ourselves. Our lives are not as dry as you'd think.

Olievar: Just the other day we ventured out to confront a sea beast in its natural habitat.

Wras: Ha! The two of you are small fry. Talk to me when you've swum into a sea beast's mouth to carve your initials on its teeth from the inside!

Olievar: Wow, that's certainly quite the feat of derring-do. Have you done that, Wras?

Wras: ...Not important. I'm guessing you're here for the usual, so let's not waste our time. Got a question for you first. Surface business.

He rummages around in his jacket and pulls out a single fancy teacup, edged with gold and painted with delicate little wildflowers. It wouldn't look amiss on Celestine's table.

Wras: Picked up this... thing from someone who was very reluctant to part with it. What is it? What can it do?

a) It’s a little tiny hat. Goes on your head.
- Wras: Huh, so this little handle thing is for strapping it onto your head? Not bad for a fashion accessory. Could pick up some potatoes.
- Olievar: Er, actually...
- Wras: Got something to say?
- Olievar: No! Nothing.
b)It’s a teacup. It’s for holding, uh, liquid.
- Wras: Liquid?
- Olievar: You know, one of the three states of matter. Or perhaps you don't. Er... it's like the water we have all around us, but not just water, but anything that behaves according to the same laws of...
- Wras: So it's useless, and I don't care.
- He tosses the teacup away, letting it shatter on a nearby rock. This, at least, seems to please him a little.
c) It’s just a cup, but it looks really well-made.
- Olie fumbles through an explanation of what a cup is, and Wras dismisses them with a wave halfway through.
- Wras: Put a cork in it, air-breather. All I gotta understand is that this is pretty expensive, ain't it? I'll pawn it off to some collector with more money than sense.
d) Let Olievar explain.
- Olie fumbles through an explanation of what a cup is, and Wras dismisses them with a wave halfway through.
- Wras: Put a cork in it, air-breather. All I gotta understand is that this is pretty expensive, ain't it? I'll pawn it off to some collector with more money than sense.

Wras: Anyway, I got your goods. Those crunchy eating things, the dead plant sheets, and, hey... This was at the drop-off point, too.

Wras holds up a clear corked bottle with a furled-up paper inside. Olievar reaches for it almost unconsciously, mouth slack and eyes wide with a desperate, fervent hope. Before their fingers reach the bottle, Wras smirks and snatches it away, tucking it back behind his cape.

Wras: Well, well, well. Looks like this is pretty valuable to you, huh? Guess it's your unlucky day, 'cause the price just went up. How about... 5,000 potatoes?

Olievar: That's a lot of money, Wras. Far more than our original deal.

Wras: What can I say? Things change. I didn't know how important this little bottle of nothing was to you back then. You can always ask your friend here for a loan. What about it, world-hopper?

Pay Wras 5,000 potatoes.

a) I’ll pay the 5,000 potatoes for Olie.
b) We’re not paying any more than three thousand.
- Wras: Not how this works, kid. I'm a pirate, not a second-rate market stall. You either respect the price I give you or get out.
- Wras: In fact, that price just went up. Six thousand taters, or I smash this thing on the rocks and let the waves take it away.
- Pay Wras 5,000 potatoes.
  - a) Wait no, I'll pay the 5,000.
  - b) I'll have to go get the cash together.
c) Wras, it’s me. Can’t you lower the price for a friend?
- Wras: You think I'm so soft I'd cut you a break just 'cause we've hung out a few times? No way. Price just went up to six thousand.
- Pay Wras 5,000 potatoes.
  - a) Wait no, I'll pay the 5,000.
  - b) I'll have to go get the cash together.
d) I’ll have to get the cash together.
- Wras: Don't take too long. I'm not a very patient man.
  - a) I’ll pay the 5,000 potatoes for Olie.
  - b) I’ll be back.
    - Wras has more surface objects for Olie to inspect. Right now, they're trying to explain what a mop is used for, though Wras appears to think it's some kind of weapon.
    - Wras: The landlubber's one of my favorite customers. If some of the loot from a shipwreck turns out to be useless garbage, chances are they'll buy it and haul it off to that terrarium of theirs.

Wras: Pleasure doing business with ya. The, uh, whatever it is... is yours. No hard feelings, eh?

Olievar: I suppose I should have expected some backstabbing when I got into business with a pirate.

Wras: Exactly. You know who I am, Olie. I'm not the kind of reckless guppy who'd cut you a break just 'cause we get along. Nothing personal. Spirit of objectivity, yeah?

Olievar tries to hold on to their grudge, but their ire melts away the moment they have the message in a bottle in their hands.

Olievar: Well, as a scientist, I can understand not wanting your personal feelings to taint your professional efforts... Perhaps we're not so different, you and I!

Olievar: We're risk-takers! Mavericks! Explorers willing to risk mortal peril for the things we hold dear!

Wras: Maverick... I like that. You got a real way with words, air-breather.

Olievar and Wras part with more gushing compliments on Olie's side and smug acceptance on Wras's. They clutch the message to their chest as they swim back to the terrarium, glancing down at it every few seconds. When they get back to the terrarium, however, they don't read the message. They don't even open the bottle, instead staring at it helplessly with a lost look on their face.

a) Aren’t you going to read that?
- Olievar: What? Oh... yes.
b) Are you okay?
- What? Oh, it's nothing I'm not used to. Don't you worry about me.
c) Who’s the message from?
- Olievar: I haven't the slightest clue.
d) Give them space.

With slightly shaking hands, Olievar uncorks the bottle and unfurls the message, reading it within seconds.

Olievar: I... don't know what I expected, but I didn't think the only message I'd receive from the surface in a very long time would be from an aunt I barely remember. It's very polite. She wrote all the usual pleasantries, asked me how the "science thing" is treating me.

Olievar: Perhaps my long sojourn underwater has made me forget that I was as much of an outsider up there as I am down here. It's rather more obvious when everyone but me is aquatic, but even in my homeland, I was different in all the ways that mattered.

Olievar: My colleagues saw my academic views as fringe and my research methods as reckless. My relatives have never understood my interest in science at all. Even the very few acquaintances that didn't mind my company... well, they seem to have forgotten me as well.

Olievar: Do you know why I have to stay underwater?

a) I assumed you were running from the law.
b) Did something happen to you?
c) I thought you just liked it here.
d) Tell me, Olie.

Olievar: I developed methods to change my body so I could survive down here. It was just a few potions, at first, a combination of magical ingredients that brought my biology closer to a reef dweller's.

Olievar: It was so easy to extend my time here longer and longer. To forget about everything I had on the surface and dive into the discoveries I could make beneath the waves. I was excited about knowing more, yes, but in a way I was also running away.

Olievar: I started disappearing underwater for weeks, then months. I don't think anyone noticed. I devoted myself to my life underwater, and let everything I had on land slip away.

Olievar: Using the potions so much... changed me. It was getting harder to breathe and walk on land, and easier to swim in the depths of the water. By the time I realized the process was irreversible, it was too late.

a) That’s terrible. (?)
b) I’m so sorry.
c) Sounds like it was your own fault.
d) Maybe it was for the best.

Olievar: Now I'm never going to get another chance to repair the relationships I had on the surface. My body's changed too much for me to live anywhere but underwater. And even if I could return and try to reintegrate into the community... I'm not sure if I'd succeed.

Olievar: I've always blamed my disconnection on being foreign to Vaer Reef, but perhaps the fault is within myself. Maybe I'm just too different to belong anywhere at all.

Olievar: Apologies. I don't mean to be maudlin. My life isn't that bad at all. I have you, of course, and the occasional brunches with Pyrifera and Clione…

Though Olie seems composed on the outside, there's a slight sag to their shoulders, as if the world is too heavy for them to bear. They mentioned brunch with Pyrifera and Clione. Maybe it would cheer them up if they had a visit from their friends.

a) Go find Pyrifera.
b) Go find Clione.
- You check Clione's house and her usual theaters, but she doesn't seem to be at any of them. There aren't any crowds of chattering fans, either. Maybe she's gone to visit Pyri.

When you stop by Pyrifera's shop, she doesn't even have time for you to explain the situation.

Pyrifera: Sorry... I can't talk now. There's a bad case of octopox spreading at the school right now, and I have to put together as many anti-fever kits as I can.

It looks like Pyri's busy right now. Maybe if you helped her out, she'd have time to help Olie. One of her daily quests should do it.

Complete one Pyrifera daily errand.

a) Have we finished all your work yet? (Quested 1/1 Times)
b) Come back later.
- Pyrifera: Olie and I have led very different lives from each other, but that's part of what makes them so interesting. They have a perspective that's completely different from all of us Vaer Reef residents.
  - a) Have we finished all your work yet?
  - b) Come back later.
    - Pyrifera: You were saying something about Olie? I hope they're alright. Though I guess there's always a chance they might not be…

Pyrifera: I've distributed everything I can. All that's left is for the kids and their families to wait it out. It's not very comfortable, but everyone's safe. From this disease, at least. There are always others.

Pyrifera: If Olie's feeling upset, I'll do anything I can to help. I don't think I'm very good at consoling emotional people, but I'll bring a headache remedy. That might help.

Pyri manages to locate Clione teaching an amateur dance class at a senior's home, and the three of you swim to Olie's terrarium together.

Clione: You came to the right people, world-hopper! Between Pyri's smarts and my ability to nod sympathetically even though I have no idea what's going on, we'll fix up Olie in no time.

Pyrifera: I don't pretend to understand what they're going through. I've never lived more than three streets away from the house I grew up in. But I'll try the best I can. Neither of us will give up until Olie feels better.

As you knock on the door of Olie's terrarium, you say...

a) Olie! Quit moping and get out here already!
- After a few moments with shuffling noises inside, Olie opens the door and forces a smile as they look upon the faces of their friends.
b) Olie, guess who came to visit?
c) Olie, are you okay?
d) Hey, Olie. Feeling up to a visit right now?

You hear the door click after a few moments and it opens to Olie smiling sadly at the three of you. They seem more weighed down by their suit than they usually are.

Clione: Hey, Olie! Looking good. That suit of yours sure is shiny today. Hey, do you remember that old joke about the armored sea-beast and the pirate ship?

Olie doesn't respond to Clione's attempt at distraction with anything more than a weak nod. Clione and Pyri exchange a look, and Pyri steps forward instead, close enough for comfort but not so close that she's crowding them.

Pyrifera: We heard about the letter. You don't need to pretend you're not upset right now. If you want to break down in abject misery, we won't judge.

Clione: Er, take a look at this dance! Stupid, right? It's called the Flappy Dolphin. Doesn't it make me look like an idiot? That's supposed to cheer people up... usually…

Pyrifera: Just remember, it could be worse. Your body could have been colonized by flesh-eating bacteria. You could be in terrible pain as they devoured your inner organs. But you're not. That thought always comforts me.

No matter what they do, Clione and Pyri's attempts at cheering Olie up don't work. Clione pulls you aside into a quick huddle as Pyri continues talking about more gruesome diseases that Olie could have but doesn't.

Clione: We're out of tactics. World-hopper, what do we do?

a) Just listen to them.
- Clione: Olie, you're the best! You're like, super smart. I couldn't understand half the things that come out of your mouth even if I tried!
- Pyrifera: I've always admired how passionate you are about science. Even if I also worry about how single-minded you can be, to the point of neglecting your own safety.
- Pyrifera: And, what's more... You're a good friend. You always have been.
b) Offer compliments.
- Clione: Olie, you're the best! You're like, super smart. I couldn't understand half the things that come out of your mouth even if I tried!
- Pyrifera: I've always admired how passionate you are about science. Even if I also worry about how single-minded you can be, to the point of neglecting your own safety.
- Pyrifera: And, what's more... You're a good friend. You always have been.
c) Hug them.
- Clione approaches Olievar with grim determination, arms outstretched. They skid backwards with a look of alarm, almost knocking into the terrarium door.
- Olievar: Er, I'd rather not, thank you.
- Clione: Sorry. I guess this is a bit awkward...
d) Ask Olie what they need.

Pyrifera: That's right. Olievar, we might not know the best way to approach you. All we know is that you're hurt, and we want to support you. However we can.

Clione: If you want a distraction, I've got a one-woman show that needs tweaking! If it's venting, Pyri's a really good listener, and I'm okay at it! If you want us to get lost, well, we'll swim all the way to the trenches!

Clione: Just... tell us what you usually do to feel better when you're down, and we'll try to help.

Olievar: You really don't have to. I feel like I'm being rather silly about the whole thing.

Pyrifera: I wouldn't offer something like this out of obligation, Olie. If we didn't genuinely care about you, we'd have sent our empty sympathies and moved on.

Olievar: Well, I am always happier when I'm thinking or talking about my research... Though I really don't mean to make you listen to me prattle on.

a) I love science!
b) I really don’t care about research…
- Pyrifera: You're really not being helpful right now, world-hopper.
c) We’re here for you no matter what.
d) I like listening to you talk.

Olievar: And believe me, I've always appreciated having a fellow enthusiast in the mix.

Clione: Right! I haven't voluntarily interacted with anything other than the arts since I left school, but if you're willing to slow down for me, I'd love to listen.

Pyrifera: What have you been working on recently? I remember you asking me where to find meandroid coral colonies…

Olievar: Right. I've been studying their structure. The way they coil in on themselves is fascinating, as if they're creating a sort of natural maze. I've been trying to figure out what guides their development…

Halfway through Olievar's explanation, Clione asks them to slow down and draw a diagram or something. Olie dutifully traces a visual aid into the sand, and after a hushed conversation, Clione lights up.

Clione: Oh! It's just like the ribbon dance! We do it for the Children's Festival every year, and if you watch it from up in the stands I guess it'd look just like one of your coral. Here, let me show you the steps.

Olievar: That's incredible. Whoever invented that dance devised a formula that mirrors meandroid growth startlingly well.

Clione: Pretty great, right? Come on, tell us more science things! Don't hold back!

Grinning, Olievar describes a few more of their recent experiments, gesturing with their hands as they speak. Pyri seems particularly interested in their experiments with fertilizing certain plants.

Pyrifera: I wonder if I could use your method to make the medicinal herbs in my garden grow faster.

The three of you talk for hours, and Olie brightens a little bit more with each breathless description. By the time they've run out of recent experiments, the sorrow that plagued their tired eyes has almost completely been replaced by joy.

a) Are you feeling better?
- Olievar: Ah... Yes. I think I am.
b) That was fun!
- Olievar: I'm glad you enjoyed yourself.
c) I always love hearing about your research.
- Olievar: And I always love talking about it, so it seems that we’re a perfect match.
d) I didn’t know science could be so interesting…
- Clione: Honestly, me either! If it wasn't for you, Olie, I wouldn't have given it a chance, so... Thanks.

Olievar: I may be caught between two worlds, neither fully terrestrial nor aquatic, but that doesn't mean I can't find my own connections.

Olievar: If I'd stayed on land forever, I would never have met Clione and Pyri, and if I'd been born in Vaer Reef, I wouldn't have run into you, world-hopper. Every part of my history led me to where I am today.

Olievar: I've found my own way to belong. I don't think I'll ever entirely conform to any society, but I've found people who care about me.

Clione: Yes! That's us!

Olievar: When I write back to my aunt, to tell everyone on the surface how I've fared underwater... I can tell her that I've made a home.

a) I hope I can find a home one day.
b) Forget the surface! Ocean forever!
- Olievar: Ah, I don't think I'll go entirely that far, but the sentiment is appreciated.
c) We’ll always be there for you.
- Olievar: Thank you. I appreciate it more than I can say.
d) None of that ‘home’ stuff matters, anyway. (?)

Olievar: I'm glad we're friends, world-hopper. It's good to know another traveller. Someone who knows how it feels to always be a little separate from the crowd.

Olievar: I know you have your own paths to find and your own people to cherish, but... You'll always have a place in Vaer Reef, with me.

Complete Quest.

Here will be the condensed version of the quest

Quest Rewards
Stat Rewards	8,000 Potatoes	+3 Affection with Olievar
Item Rewards	Olievar's Totem	Olievar's Viewing Port
Item Rewards	Olievar's Opalescent Oxygen Helmet	Olievar's Opalescent Oxygen Helmet

Clione: Clione's Directorial Debut

Quest Information
Speak With	Clione
Prerequisites	Main Quest: Conferring with Clione
Description	"Clione is scrambling, preparing for a new play."

Full Transcript

When you find Clione, she's deep in conversation with a many-legged squid, her voice rising with frustration.

Clione: Seriously? They can't just bail like this! It's opening night! I don't care if they're eloping or whatever, if they don't get back here right now I'll... Um…

Clione flushes at the squid's shocked stare and looks around, finally noticing that you're here as well. A single shake of her head settles her temper, and she gives both of you a sheepish smile.

Clione: I do apologize for my agitation. We'll just... Call the understudies. Piece of kelp-cake!

She sidles over to you, lowering her voice.

Clione: World-hopper! I'm so glad you're here. You heard me talking about my new play, right? Well, this time, and for the very first time, I'm the director as well as the lead! Good for me, right? There's just one problem. Everyone expects this play to be perfect, because, well, it's me, and I've been doing so much that... I forgot to hire understudies. You can help, can't you? I'm thinking you could perhaps take on a few minor parts. How do you feel about being a henchman? Maybe a grateful villager?

a) Sure, I can help you out.
b) I actually am busy right now.

Clione: World-hopper, you just saved my life! Or at the very least, you've saved this theatrical production. Same thing.

Clione takes you to a beautiful theater made out of a single giant spiral shell that gleams with a pearly luster. Backstage, however, the effect is less 'elegant tribute to the arts' and more utter chaos. You have to pick your way across scattered piles of supplies and equipment in order to reach the set, which is covered with hulking, half-built backdrops and scattered furniture you recognize from Clione's own house.

Clione: Olie! Pyri! How's construction?

Pyrifera: I wish I could say that everything's on track and we know what we're doing. But I can't. Because we don't.

Olievar: Though Pyri's description is accurate, I'm still feeling cautiously optimistic about our prospects. We may be ignorant, but we're still all reasonably intelligent individuals. How hard can it really be?

Pyrifera: I think the answer to that question... is impossibly hard. There's a lot of potential for things to go wrong here.

Olievar: True, but we'll keep at it nevertheless! We'll figure something out, even if it has to be through trial and error.

Pyrifera: We'll try. It'll just take... some time. And a lot of extra materials to replace everything we break or ruin.

Clione: Hm... world-hopper, you go get some construction materials while we try to figure out how to build the sets. I'll talk to some of my contacts and see if they have any advice.

Get Clione and her crew some materials good for construction. 4 items should do.

a) I might have all the materials you asked for.
b) I’ll be back.

Just in time! I managed to get in touch with the set design crew from another production. Between them and Olie, we have all the expertise we need. Now, pick up a hammer and get to work! These sets won't build themselves!

Clione takes the lead, using Olie's plans to split up tasks and her experience to make sure they're done right. She's not shy about pointing out mistakes, but she doesn't get angry about them, either, instead simply offering a quick correction and moving on. Together, you carve slabs of stone into a majestic spired castle, weave ropes of kelp into a many-limbed sea beast costume. Old jars are turned into a bioluminescent chandelier, and Clione's old garden rake becomes a mighty trident. You work until your hands start to cramp from all the fine adjustments, which is thankfully when Clione calls all of you to a stop.

Clione: Ready for a break, everyone?

a) I’d like a break.
- Clione: Good, because I have something completely different for you to work on! You get to rest your hands while you work with your mind. Isn't that great?
b) I’m okay to keep working.
- Clione: Good, because I have more, different work for you now. Isn't that exciting?
c) Are you really going to let us have one?
- Clione: Wow, you're so funny! Answer's no. You can take a real break when I do, which is after curtain call. This is show business, people, not spa day.

Clione: Anyway, congratulations! You have a part in the show as an evil minion, and you didn't even have to audition. Here's your script. While you're reading it, I don't want you to just learn your lines. Learn your character! How do they walk? What do they breathe like? Who are they? Who are you? Olie's playing the main villain. Maybe you two should talk!

Olievar: My character is, well... rather unsavoury. That's excellent! I'm not very evil myself, or at least I don't think I am, so it'll be interesting to play someone so different. Theater is supposed to be catharsis, isn't it? A release of the emotions we don't dare show in our ordinary, everyday lives. Perhaps this role will unlock some long-buried aspect of my personality that I didn't even know existed! I've worked out a lengthy backstory for my character, but we don't have much time to develop yours. Let's just keep to the most important question - what's your motivation for working with the villain?

a) Money.
- Olievar: Ah, yes, an old classic.
b) Revenge.
- Olievar: Oh, that's very good. The hero wronged you, and now you're back for vengeance! You could say all your lines with a simmering resentment, or maybe some uncontrolled rage...
c) Love.
- Olievar: You're suggesting we imply a romantic connection between my character and yours? How ingenious!
d) I don’t know.
- Olievar: Well... That's alright, I suppose. We'll be missing some narrative oomph, but you don't need to construct an elaborate backstory if you don't want to.

Olie helps you practice your lines until you can remember them almost flawlessly. The two of you run through some of the stage directions, too, using the costume mannequins to stand in for other characters.

Clione: Curtain call's in fifteen. World-hopper, you're on stage in the first scene so you're with me. Olie, get yourself in... Hm. There's nothing in the wardrobe department that'd fit you, so just wear your regular suit. We'll just say it's symbolism.

Olievar: Fascinating! What is it symbolic of, exactly?

Clione: Uh. Metaphors? Okay, no, wearing your ordinary clothes means that the villain's the one person on stage who's not in costume, and that's a statement on the hypocrisy of society. Or something.

Clione shows you where to stand, a tiny mark etched into the surface of the stage that's completely invisible to the audience but easy to see from your perspective. She gets into position, too, rearranging her hair as you wait for the play to begin.

Clione: You know what all this chaos reminds me of? When I was just starting out as a dancer, we'd stay up all night rehearsing and eating sea forage roll cakes until we fell asleep on set. Those days none of my productions had a budget. We brought in whatever we could find from home or off the street and called it good enough. Theater is all about imagination, right? If you do it right, you can make everyone see something beautiful no matter what you actually have. Even though I'm doing bigger and fancier productions now, it's still the same thing. We're trying to catch people in the moment. Sweep them away. When I join a show, I'm promising to make that magic happen no matter what I have. Though none of that would be possible if I didn't have other people working with me. You can't do anything in theater alone! Thanks for coming along, world-hopper.

a) I’m glad to help.
- Clione: Be careful with that, okay? People are going to take advantage of you if you’re too nice to them... I mean, keep being nice to me, obviously. But be careful with everyone else.
b) I like theater, too.
- Clione: It's exhilarating, isn't it? Everyone working together to make something so much bigger than ourselves... I'm glad you understand how it feels.
c) Don’t get used to it.
- Clione: Don't worry, I won't! All you have to do is get through opening night and I won't ask you to do any production stuff again. ...Probably. No guarantees.
d) You owe me one.
- Clione: I know, I know. You can call in your favor any time, how about that? Well, maybe not like, any time. It's a figure of speech.

Through the curtains in front of you, you can hear the crowd of excited patrons muttering to each other as they file into the auditorium.

Clione: Curtains in a minute. Are you ready? Don't answer that if you're not going to say yes.

a) But I’m not…
- Clione: World-hopper, what did I just say?
b) Yes.
- Clione: There you go.
c) Uh…
- Clione: I'm guessing that's a no, in which case... too bad. Everyone feels like this sometimes. Just try not to puke and you'll be fine.
d) Don’t answer.
- Clione: I'm guessing that's a no, in which case... too bad. Everyone feels like this sometimes. Just try not to puke and you'll be fine.

The audience falls silent as the stage lights come on, revealing Clione lounging on a throne. With the adjustments you've made to it, nobody can tell that it's just a chair from her dining room with scarves tied on for aesthetic effect.

You get ready and loudly proclaim your line…

a) Ahahaha! We’ve kidnapped the prince!
b) Hey lady! We’ve got your son!
c) Missing someone, majesty? When was the last time you saw your son?
d) Uh…
- Clione: No... your mouth is closed but I can sense the truth in your eyes. You've taken my son, the Prince!

Olie bursts out from behind the throne, cackling with malicious delight. They strike several poses, accidentally get part of their trident tangled up in a scarf, then flourish it make [sic] their mistake look like it was on purpose.

Olievar: I have the Prince in my clutches, and I'm never going to let him go!

The spotlight flicks over to the space beside Olie, but no Prince emerges. You all stare at the empty floor until Clione gestures at Olie. They step awkwardly sideways into the empty spotlight with another, less confident evil laugh.

Clione: You won't get away with this! I will summon the greatest hero in all the land to defeat you, and bring my son to his rightful home!

After a little more villainous taunting, the three of you exit stage left. Clione hustles off for several whispered conversations and returns with a grim look on her face.

Clione: Our prince really is gone. They ate something bad at the pre-show cast party last night and can't make it to the theater. Makes me a little glad I always skip those things. It's fine... It's okay. I've got a plan to find a replacement. All we need is someone with a little experience and a history of being a patron to the arts... Aha! Right there!

Clione: Judge Xarion! Psst! Come this way! We need your help! There's been a crime!

a) It’s not actually a crime.
- Clione: Well, okay, but...
b) Yes! Murder! So much blood!
- Clione: Okay, maybe not exactly murder, but equally as important!
c) Hi, Xarion.
- Xarion: Hello to you, too, world-hopper, Clione.
d) Hide in embarrassment.
- You slink back behind Clione, using the audience around you as a shield.

Clione: What I mean is, there's been a crime against art. The actor who plays our prince fell ill at the last minute, and I was thinking... You can't have forgotten everything from Miss Eva's class, right, Judge?

Xarion sighs and addresses you with an air of tired resignation, in stark contrast to Clione's ingratiating smile.

Xarion: For context, world-hopper, I may as well explain. When I first entered my profession, I found it difficult to keep the courtroom's attention. I was a studious youth, and found the performance aspects of the job... challenging. A mentor suggested attempting theater, so I requested that Miss Eva enroll me in a class based on her estimation of my ability. You can imagine my surprise when that class consisted solely of several children and myself, an adult man.

Clione: And there you learned how to act, dance and improvise. You could take on the prince's role and save the whole show! Please, Judge. You have to.

Clione and Xarion lock eyes in a silent battle of wills. Xarion has the edge in ferocity, but Clione's mask of smiling encouragement doesn't crack a single bit.

Xarion: The department's had to shelve our new traffic law awareness campaign because of budget issues.

Clione: What a coincidence! I've been looking to donate to a worthy cause lately. Consider it funded.

The two of you rush back just as a royal servant announces the hero's arrival. Clione floats onto the stage without a single hair out of place, the picture of courage and discipline. Your role is to wait until she gets halfway through her speech and interrupt her for a fight scene. You didn't get a chance to rehearse beforehand, so as you wait you decide to...

a) Let her win very easily.
- You try a few half-hearted lunges and kicks, but Clione dodges them with ease. She shakes her spear at you, and you swoon onto the ground without even being hit.
b) Give her a real challenge.
- Clione's eyes widen in shock as you advance upon her with a flurry of blows. She barely manages to block them, and the two of you dance across the stage until she finally manages to knock the spear from your hand.
c) Focus on slapstick.
- You run at Clione, but before either of you can even extend your spears, you trip and face-plant onto the ground. The audience laughs in approval.

Olie is announced with a plume of the darkest ink, though you're close enough to see that it's not for dramatic effect but also to hide the stagehands scurrying along to arrange Olie's costume.

Olievar: My minion has failed me! You may have defeated my underlings, hero, but you won't be so lucky with me.

They strike several poses with a prop sword bigger than their own body, swinging it wildly around until it smacks into the scene's backdrop. The pretend castle cracks in two, half of it falling backwards onto the set pieces for the next act.

Clione: O-oh no! You haven't just kidnapped the Prince, you've caused an earthquake that destroyed the kingdom! You fiend!

Olievar: Yes. Er. I most certainly did that on purpose.

Clione and Olie battle it out for a few minutes, but eventually Olie makes their escape by threatening their hostage, the Prince. When the spotlight blinks over this time, Xarion leaps into it with a perfect twirling pirouette.

Xarion: Is that the hero? Something about her seems so familiar, almost as if we're somehow connected. But how could that be? Though my... Ahem. Though I am but a weak and gentle soul, my heart is far stronger than my hands. Do not lose your faith, hero! I will always live in hope for my rescue!

Olie pretends to spirit Xarion away as the lights go off for intermission. Clione sags down onto the floor backstage in exhaustion and relief, and Pyri wordlessly hands her a cushion.

Clione: Have I ever told anyone how much I love intermission?

Pyrifera: Yes. Many times.

Xarion: That prince is an appalling idiot. I suppose there's a reason Vaer Reef doesn't have a monarchy.

Clione claps twice, and the cast and crew gather around her. She raises her voice so everyone can hear, her straight-backed posture making her seat on the ground look elegant and bohemian instead of just tired and sloppy.

Clione: Everything that can go wrong tonight has, but you all have been more than lovely getting us through it. With this team, it doesn't matter what the night throws at us! We'll go down in legend as the production who could survive anything! The show must go on!

a) The show must go on!
- Everyone else starts to join in, quietly at first, then louder and louder until the whole production cheers, bound together by their passion for the show.
b) We’re legends!
- Everyone else starts to join in, quietly at first, then louder and louder until the whole production cheers, bound together by their passion for the show.
c) Start clapping.
- Everyone else starts to join in, quietly at first, then louder and louder until the whole production cheers, bound together by their passion for the show.
d) Observe in stony silence.
- After an awkward moment, someone else starts up a quiet round of polite applause.

As the crowd disperses, a nervous squid clutching a clipboard whispers something into Clione's ear, then backs away as her temper slowly begins to rise.

Clione: Layl got food poisoning too? Are you kidding me? She was fine five minutes ago! That's... Fine. No, don't make her try to walk it off. If she's sick, call a carriage to take her home. The production'll be fine. I'll dance both our roles myself. We'll call it a commentary on duality, or whatever.

With just a change of expression and gesture, Clione turns a pas de deux into a solo. She's upright with virtue as the hero, slouching and dangerous as the pirate queen. Though she doesn't let go on stage, you can see tension in every line of her body. When the scene ends, Clione barely takes a single step backstage before a stagehand hands a message to her. Her expression rapidly darkens as she reads, and when she's finished she hurls it across the room.

Clione: Sorry. Nothing to see here. Just my instinctive reflex response to learning that half our extras are puking backstage because of those Vaer-blighted kelp cakes!

Clione covers her eyes with her hand, blocking all light from her vision. Her whole body goes limp, not dropping to the floor so much as drifting slowly downwards, only held up by the water around her.

Clione: What am I going to do? The sets are all flimsy, half the actors are gone and I don't actually know how to direct! Maybe I should've canceled this show from the start. The only reason anyone's here is because I said I believed in us, but now they're all relying on me to make things work, and I can't! Do you ever get the feeling that nobody should be listening to you? Half the time I love the rush of being in charge, but the other half.. I'm not qualified for this! I'm only famous because I can dance! That doesn't mean I have any idea about anything else!

a) It’s okay to give up.
- Clione: That doesn't mean I want to.
b) Everyone feels like that sometimes.
- Clione: Even you? Nice to know that I'm not the only one who's only pretending to know what they're doing.
c) You made a mistake.
d) Quietly commiserate.

Clione: This play was supposed to be a new beginning. I know I can't dance forever. I have, what, ten years maximum before my body gives out? I have enough money to just retire, but I don't want to let go of the stage. I guess I was overconfident. I'm not used to being bad at things, and I thought I knew enough about the craft to direct. But everything's going wrong now, and I'm the only one responsible. I'll go back out in a second. Olie, can you stall for me? I... I need some time right now. Just keep monologuing until I'm ready.

Pyrifera: I'll stay with her.

You almost startle badly, and only just keep yourself from jumping in surprise. Pyri blends into the background so quietly that it's easy to forget she's been watching the play from backstage this whole time.

Pyrifera: I think... Clione needs a reminder of what she's doing this for. She's told you about her plays when she was just starting out, right? If you bring her some Sea Forage Roll Cakes... It might help. Maybe.

Get 3 Sea Forage Roll Cakes for Clione.

Olie seems to have run out of lines for their monologue. Now they're desperately improvising as quickly as they can as everyone waits for you to return with the Sea Forage Roll Cakes.

Olie: That's right! I've been planning this for years! It's all because of that day I was denied tenure... Not only did I kidnap the prince, I also kidnapped, er... I kidnapped all the food from the kitchen! And the cushions from the throne! Bet you didn't know that was me!

Get 3 Sea Forage Roll Cakes for Clione.

Give Clione the Sea Forage Roll Cakes.
I'll be back.

Clione stares at the food in front of her for a little while, then slowly takes a bite. She closes her eyes as she eats, savoring both the taste and the memories it brings.

Clione: This reminds me... One time, I had a venue say they double-booked me and canceled my show. I set a rope up and performed right outside, and since I didn't have any money for a concessions stand I got candied shells and sold them for a potato each. What was I even thinking? I didn't have anything then. No fans, no stage crew... no expectations, either. It didn't matter as long as I could dance, to make people see me just for a minute.

Clione stands up, tosses her hair and puts a dazzling grin on her face. Suddenly she seems so confident that if you hadn't seen her yourself, you'd think she's never doubted herself before in her life.

Clione: Moping is pathetic. If we fail, it's not going to be because I spent my time lying down feeling sorry for myself instead of trying to fix things. So what if this production's a disaster? I've had worse! If we're missing eight actors, I'll find eight replacements!

Pyrifera: I'll do it. I don't think I'd do a very good job, but I'll try. If you need me.

Clione: Pyri! You hate attention! That... that means a lot. I just wish there were seven more of you. ...Oh! World-hopper, get back on stage for your scene. I know how we're saving the show.

a) Don’t get your hopes up.
- Wow, thanks for believing in me. Just get onstage, okay?
b) I believe in you.
- Clione: Thanks. I've got a good feeling about this.
c) See you onstage.

You take your position beside Olie, and Clione bursts onto stage, a dynamo of energy and motion.

Clione: By the speed of my fins and glory of my blade, today the kingdom's prince shall be saved!

Olievar: Not if I have anything to say about it! Which I do, in fact. If you read my manifesto, you might even agree with my motivation.

Clione: Never!

You and Olie pretend-fight Clione all the way to the very edge of the stage. Every time she fends off one of you, the other one's there with a new attack. Your signal to lose is her landing what looks like a desperate hit on your stomach.

a) Swoon gracefully to the ground.
- Your fainting trajectory is elegant and almost refined, especially what's supposed to be a violent scene. While the audience is distracted by the rest of the fight, you crawl your way backstage.
b) Give yourself a dramatic death.
- You groan, gasp and gurgle as you collapse to the ground. When you sneak a tiny scream of "oh, the pain!" in there as well, Olie has to hide a smile.
c) Refuse to submit.
- You resist Clione's death blow and keep fighting. Eyes narrowed, she prods you with the blunt end of her spear until you're pushed backstage.
d) Scream and run away.
- You let out a high-pitched yell, drop your weapon, and run backstage with your hands up, earning a laugh from the audience for your antics.

Once you're backstage, you glance back to see Clione pinned to the floor by Olie's trident, though her face is turned to the audience so they can see her expressions.

Clione: I tried so hard, and yet I still taste defeat! Is this really the end?

Trembling slightly from the weight of the audience's eyes on her, Pyri emerges from backstage with a sign reading CHEER FOR THE HERO. She holds it up until the audience starts yelling for Clione to get up and return to the fight, then slinks gratefully back into the shadows.

Clione: That's right! The whole kingdom's counting on me. I won't let them down!

She slides out from under Olie's spear and knocks it away, turning on them with a flurry of attacks. They take a dive by pretending they've been hit hard enough to fling them into the wall, then sliding onto the ground in fake defeat.

Clione: You're safe now, Prince. I came back for you, just like I always promised.

Xarion: That voice... It's so familiar. Mother?

Clione: That's right! I retired from heroism when I became queen, but I couldn't stay behind knowing that my little boy was in danger.

Through the magic of theater, the audience seems to accept that Clione is the mother of someone who looks at least five years older than her.

As they continue their heartfelt reunion, something backstage captures your attention. The crew in charge of special effects is trying to figure out what to use for the finale. You suggest they use...

a) A school of live fish.
- The stage crew open a crate, and a flood of tiny silver fish streams onto the stage and out into the audience, tickling your legs as they swim past you. As they disperse into the open ocean, they look almost like a field of shining stars.
b) Bursts of colorful ink.
- The ink slowly unfurls out into the water in beautiful curling wisps of color. Vibrant fuchsia, teal and crimson blend into each other at the edges, fading as they're absorbed into the water.
c) Loud drums.
- The stage crew strikes up a beat, loud enough that you can feel the sound hitting your skin through the water around you. The drums grow faster and louder, filling the auditorium with energy and noise.
d) Sparkling beads.
- The lighting technicians up in the rafters scatter bright, colorful beads directly into the audience, who jump to catch them.

As the audience begins to applaud, Clione motions the cast and crew onstage. You come together in a ragged line and bow as one, the stage lights bright enough that you have to squint your eyes against the glare.

Clione: This is what we do it for.

a) The attention?
- Um, yeah! What else? Seriously, though, you know I love them but if we can quit with the cynical jokes for like, a second.... It's the audience, ok?
b) Your ego?
c) The applause?
- Clione: There's nothing like being appreciated. That's the sound of people telling us we did a good job, okay?
d) The audience?

Clione: Just hearing how happy they sound, knowing that we took them somewhere magical just for a night, feeling the energy and the, the love in the room... Shut up. I know I'm being sappy.

a) I like sappy.
b) That’s okay.
c) I didn’t say anything.
d) Are you gonna cry?

Clione: It's just... it's the best feeling in the world. Watch this.

Clione raises your hand in hers, and if anything the audience only grows louder. The sound is like a living thing, vibrant and almost overwhelming with the force of the audience's joy. When you bow again, for a moment it feels like you're their entire world.

Clione: See what I mean? Listen to them cheer. It's for you.

Rewards: Clione's Sea Meringue, 2000 Potatoes, +5 Affection with Clione

You enter the theater, where Clione is arguing with a squid about some actors who have not shown up for tonight's performance. It turns out that she has been so busy with her responsibilities that she has forgotten to hire understudies, and asks if you can help her.

a) Sure, I can help you out.
b) I actually am busy right now.

Clione thanks you, and the two of you talk to Olievar and Pyrifera, who are constructing the set.

Clione: Hm... world-hopper, you go get some construction materials while we try to figure out how to build the sets. I'll talk to some of my contacts and see if they have any advice.

Get Clione and her crew some materials good for construction. 4 items should do.

Construction Materials
Bundle of Bulbs (Hatches Lightbulb Deer)	Bearnard's Broom Common, Uncommon, Alchemy	Bearnard's Farming Spade Common, Uncommon, Alchemy	Calbet's Training Bow Common, Uncommon, Alchemy
Lilia's Training Lances Common, Uncommon, Alchemy	Mycel's Staff Common, Uncommon, Alchemy	Glume's Vine Chain Common, Uncommon, Alchemy	Marvel's Crystal Pickaxe Common, Uncommon, Alchemy
Idra's Head Crystals Common, Uncommon, Alchemy	Lief's Lightbulbs Common, Uncommon, Alchemy	Johaness' Ship Hat Common, Uncommon, Alchemy	Celestine's Laced Umbrella Common, Uncommon, Alchemy

They all thank you and you get to work building the sets and props. After a while, Clione calls for a break.

Clione: Ready for a break, everyone?

a) I’d like a break.
b) I’m okay to keep working.
c) Are you really going to let us have one?

Clione assigns you the part of an evil minion and instructs you to work on your character with Olievar, who is performing the role of the main villian. Together, you begin to develop your characters.

Olievar: Let's just keep to the most important question - what's your motivation for working with the villain?

a) Money.
b) Revenge.
c) Love.
d) I don’t know.

Before long, it's almost time for the show to begin. Clione gives you and Olievar a few last-minute directions before reminiscing about the first few performances of her career and how far she has come with the support of her community, which includes you.

a) I’m glad to help.
b) I like theater, too.
c) Don’t get used to it.
d) You owe me one.

The noise of the audience filters through the curtains.

Clione: Curtains in a minute. Are you ready? Don't answer that if you're not going to say yes.

a) But I’m not…
b) Yes.
c) Uh…
d) Don’t answer.

The curtains open. You get ready and loudly proclaim your line…

a) Ahahaha! We’ve kidnapped the prince!
b) Hey lady! We’ve got your son!
c) Missing someone, majesty? When was the last time you saw your son?
d) Uh…

Olievar enters from upstage and utters their lines. It becomes clear that the actor playing The Prince has missed their cue. You all exit stage left and Clione formulates a plan to find a replacement when she is informed that the original actor has actually become sick and is unable to perform.

Clione: Judge Xarion! Psst! Come this way! We need your help! There's been a crime!

a) It’s not actually a crime.
b) Yes! Murder! So much blood!
c) Hi, Xarion.
d) Hide in embarrassment.

Xarion reluctantly explains that he'd taken acting classes once upon a time in order to improve his courtroom manner. Although he doesn't seem to want to join this performance, he and Clione lock eyes in a battle of wills, and he eventually gives in after securing a promise of funding from Clione.

You all return to the stage in time for an unrehearsed fight scene. When attacking Clione, you...

a) Let her win very easily.
b) Give her a real challenge.
c) Focus on slapstick.

Olievar returns to the stage and accidentally destroys the set while delivering their lines. Clione and Olievar also have a fight scene. Xarion has a soliloquy as his character The Prince, and Act I ends as you all leave the stage. Backstage, Clione gives an inspiring talk to the cast and stagehands.

a) The show must go on!
b) We’re legends!
c) Start clapping.
d) Observe in stony silence.

Clione is informed that yet another cast member has gotten sick and cannot perform. She takes over that performance, and when she comes offstage, she learns that many of the extras are also sick and unable to go onstage. At his point, she has a mini-breakdown and crisis of self-confidence.

a) It’s okay to give up.
b) Everyone feels like that sometimes.
c) You made a mistake.
d) Quietly commiserate.

Clione asks Olievar to stall for time onstage as she tries to figure out what to do. Pyrifera asks you to help Clione remember "the good old days" of her first performances.

Get 3 Sea Forage Roll Cakes for Clione.

Give Clione the Sea Forage Roll Cakes.
I'll be back.

The Sea Forage Rolls return to Clione her confidence, and Pyrifera volunteers to take the place of an extra if that's what Clione needs.

Clione: Pyri! You hate attention! That... that means a lot. I just wish there were seven more of you. ...Oh! World-hopper, get back on stage for your scene. I know how we're saving the show.

a) Don’t get your hopes up.
b) I believe in you.
c) See you onstage.

Eventually, you, Olievar, and Clione are once again in the middle of a stage duel. It comes time for your "death" scene.

a) Swoon gracefully to the ground.
b) Give yourself a dramatic death.
c) Refuse to submit.
d) Scream and run away.

Once backstage, you watch the rest of the show. Pyrifera has her stage debut, and audience enthusiasm energizes Clione's character. She overpower's Olievar's evil villain character and is reunited with Xarion's character of The Prince. You must choose the special effects for the finale.

a) A school of live fish.
b) Bursts of colorful ink.
c) Loud drums.
d) Sparkling beads.

You all return to the stage for the curtain call as the audience applauds you.

Clione: This is what we do it for.

a) The attention?
b) Your ego?
c) The applause?
d) The audience?

Clione: Just hearing how happy they sound, knowing that we took them somewhere magical just for a night, feeling the energy and the, the love in the room... Shut up. I know I'm being sappy.

a) I like sappy.
b) That’s okay.
c) I didn’t say anything.
d) Are you gonna cry?

She raises your linked hands for a final bow.

Clione: See what I mean? Listen to them cheer. It's for you.

Quest Rewards
Stat Rewards	2,000 Potatoes	+5 Affection with Clione
Item Rewards	Clione's Sea Meringue

Clione: A Tumultuous Romance

Quest Information
Speak With	Clione
Prerequisites	500 Affection
Description	"Clione wants your help with a momentous occasion."

Full Transcript

Clione's beautiful home is nothing so gaudy as a mansion, but its spacious garden and impeccably elegant exterior remind you that its owner could own a mansion, if she wanted to.

Before you can knock or indicate your presence, the door swings open abruptly on some sort of lever mechanism, small bubbles erupting from the disturbed sea flora outside. A voice calls from the second floor.

Clione: World-hopper! Come up here! Oh, I've been waiting to talk to you about this since we met, I'm so excited!

a) What are we talking about?
- Clione: Love, obviously!
b) That sounds ominous.
- Clione: You know, usually I'd agree with some good old-fashioned cynicism, but not today!
c) I’m also excited!
d) Swim over to Clione.

The walls of Clione's sitting room are sea-foam green, a tapestry woven in the likeness of her own face hanging from the wall. She sits you down on the soft coral statement couch in the center of the room, a one-person audience to her nervous monologue.

Clione: I just want to sit you down and have a long conversation about, oh, Pyri and life and everything. Should we send out for snacks? I think we should. It's going to take a long time to tell you everything!

a) I don’t think I can right now.
- Clione: It's hard for me to imagine that you're doing anything more interesting than listening to me talk about my love life, but okay. Just remember to come back when you can!
  - I'll be back later.
  - Clione: World-hopper! I ordered some food for us. Fresh seagrass salads, from that new place near the coral sculpture of a seahorse. Bet you can't resist those!
  - Clione: My first choice for a long conversation is usually Pyri, but obviously I can't exactly talk to Pyri about herself.
b) Let’s talk, then.

Clione: Yes! Oh, wow, I've been holding everything in for too long. I tried to talk to Olievar, but they always use weird plant metaphors when they're trying to give advice and I actually don't know that much about plants.

Clione: So. I've been spending so much time with Pyrifera lately... Which is the same as usual, so nothing's changed, but at the same time it feels like everything's changed. You know what I mean?

Clione: Yesterday I said I was hungry, and Pyri offered me one of her gross old leftover algae loaves. Usually she's too embarrassed to even eat those in front of me! What do you think that means?

a) The algae loaves were about to go to bad?
- Clione: I mean, sure. They did taste pretty stale. I really thought there had to be some hidden meaning behind it, but maybe not.
b) She thinks that’s all you deserve?
- Clione: No! That's a total me move, but if Pyri was mad at me, she'd tell me exactly what I was doing wrong. That, or bury it way deep down and never let it show. There's a fifty-fifty chance.
c) She’s more comfortable around you?
- Clione: Yes, I think she is! She's so much more relaxed now that she's used to me.
d) She… likes you?
- Clione: Oh, wow, do you think? I hoped that might be it, but maybe not? I don't know!

Clione: Wait, stop. I have another one for you. I asked Pyri what her favorite color was, and she said pink. That's the color of my hair! Do you think that's a sign?

a) A sign of what?
- Clione: You know. Her feelings.
b) Maybe she wants pink hair, too.
- Clione: Pyrifera with pink hair... It's a pretty intriguing mental image, but I'd miss her hair like it is now. Maybe I could get her a wig?
c) A sign that… you’re her favourite?
- Clione squeals, a high-pitched sound of pure glee that sends a stream of bubbles to the ceiling.
- Clione: That. Would. Be. Perfect!
d) This is stupid.
- Clione: Excuse you, world-hopper. Look, I came to you, even though you have like, no romance in your soul, because you're literally my last resort. Please at least try?

Clione: Okay, okay, one last question. The other week, Pyri tripped on something because she was muttering to herself instead of paying attention, so obviously I dove to catch her.

Clione: We were so close together, just like the choreography for Outlaws of the Heart, so I dipped her just a little, and she sort of put her arms around my neck for balance, like she trusted that I'd always catch her... Do you think that means she likes me?

a) No.
- Clione: Clearly you have no idea about romance! Or maybe you do? Maybe I'm just deluding myself. Oh, I don't know.
b) Yes, obviously.
- Clione: You really think so? Yes! O mighty Vaer, my time is now! I've been waiting and waiting for this moment, for some kind of signal...
c) Maybe.
- Clione: I guess you're not exactly the expert on Pyri between the two of us. Or the expert on love, for that matter.
d) How should I know?
- Clione: I guess you're not exactly the expert on Pyri between the two of us. Or the expert on love, for that matter.

Clione: I can usually read Pyri, alright? I pay attention. I know what she's like when she's happy or nervous or upset, but I've never seen Pyri in love. I don't know what that'd look like for her.

a) Are you in love?
- Clione smiles to herself, a private, secret thing with a faraway look in her eyes.
- Clione: I never thought I'd be able to say this, and I know it's still early, but... When I danced romantic duets I kept my body light and I sprang from the toes because the choreographer told me to, not because I really understood why.
- Clione: Now, I know. When I go to see Pyri, I float with every step. Is there any other word for this than love?
b) I don’t know if I can help.
- Clione: Relax! To be totally honest, I don't actually expect that much from you. Just listen, and that'll be enough.
- Clione: Well, I'll also probably have you run some errands for me later, but don't I always?
c) She definitely likes you.
- Clione: You really think so? I'm so glad someone else is seeing this, you know? Like, maybe it's not just wishful thinking.
d) There’s no way she likes you.
- Clione: Ugh, you think? But the kelp loaves! The... I thought I was seeing so many signals. Maybe it's just wishful thinking.

Clione: What do you think I should do, world-hopper?

a) Hide your feelings forever, she can’t know.
- Clione: That doesn't really sound fun, or productive. I feel like I'd just be secretly miserable the whole time, and nobody wants that.
b) Try to subtly flirt with her.
- Clione: Already have. So many times! I don't think she even notices.
c) Just talk to her.
d) I have no idea.
- Not even a guess? Ugh, okay, fine, I was probably just going to ignore whatever you said and just do what I wanted anyway.

Clione: I think I'm gonna have to tell her. I mean, she might like me or she might not, but if I don't ask I'll never know. All I have to do is confess everything, and make sure she knows I'm not expecting anything.

Clione: Well, like, I am hoping, a little bit, but if she doesn't like me back, I don't want her to force herself, you know? I like being friends with her, too.

Clione: It'll be easy. They're just words, aren't they? All I have to do is look her in the eye and say - Pyrifera, you're my one and only. You're the waves beneath my fins.

Clione: Oh, Vaer's sake, I can't do it by myself! World-hopper, will you come with me?

a) What? No!
- Clione: Oh, come on! Please? What happened to moral support?
b) Won’t it be awkward?
- Clione: It'll be even more awkward if I get ready to say everything and I freeze up because my nerves get the better of me. That won't happen if you're there.
c) I guess if you want.
d) Of course I’ll be there!

Clione: I need you with me, world-hopper. We're going to confess to Pyri! Together!

Before you can reconsider, Clione is hailing a carriage, some of which appear to be waiting for her across the road. You clamber into the carriage as quickly as you can as it sets off at a brisk pace.

Clione is full of nervous energy the entire carriage ride to Pyri's neighborhood. She's so jittery that she clambers out the window and does a few swoops around the water when the carriage stops to let a troop of giggling schoolchildren pass by.

Even when you get to Pyri's clinic, she stops you at the door because she "needs to warm up" first. This involves doing several mid-water stretches while muttering to herself.

Halfway through a very complicated stretch that involves Clione bending her tail into a perfect S. Pyri opens the door, presumably having noticed the two of you lurking in front of her house.

Clione: Ppppppyri! Hi! How are you... Ahem. I'm sure you're wondering why I came to see you today.

Pyrifera: You visit pretty often... so, not really. But I can wonder, if you want.

Clione: Well, I came here today for a reason. I couldn't hold it in anymore. I have to tell you that... that... Pyri, every time I visit you, I feel this flutter in my stomach.

Pyrifera: Ah. Of course.

Clione: So... you feel it too?

Pyrifera: Not really.

Clione: O-oh.

Pyrifera: But my stomach is used to eating street food from the neighborhood. I should've known those kelp loaves would make you sick. I'm sorry.. for feeding you such poor-quality food.

Clione: No, that's not it! I barely even ate those, anyway! I mean, I took a bite, I was curious, but I always bring my own snacks, remember? I was using a figure of speech!

Clione: My stomach swoops because I'm excited to see you, okay? Pyrifera, I think about you all the time. Like, the little blink you do when you're confused, your hair and the way it hangs way down in your face...

Pyrifera: Sorry about that. I try to brush it. Sometimes. Usually it's hard to see the point, since it goes right back to this state.

Clione glances at you helplessly, as if begging for a rescue.

a) Clione thinks your hair is pretty.
- Clione: I think your hair is beautiful, Pyri. And your smile, and the cute frown you get when you're being serious.
- Pyri ducks her head, letting that allegedly beautiful hair fall forward to cover her entire face.
- Pyrifera: You don't have to be polite.
- Clione: Come on, Pyri. You know I'm only polite to my fans. If I say something to you, it's because I mean it.
- Pyrifera: But I'm not... I... Thanks, Clione. You're very kind.
b) Clione wants to brush your hair.
- Pyrifera: The tangles probably bother you, don't they. You can, if you want.
- Clione: Wait, really?
- Clione reaches out, her hand trembling very slightly, to run her fingers through Pyri's hair.
- Clione: It's as soft as I thought it'd be... Wait! No! I'm getting off track!
c) Shrug.
d) Give her an encouraging smile.

Clione: Give us a second, okay?

You almost step away before you realize that Clione asked Pyrifera, not you. Pyri nods and shuts her door, leaving you and Clione to have a whispered conversation in her front garden.

Clione: This is a disaster! She's completely not getting any of my compliments! I spent a lot of time rehearsing those, too...

a) Pyri doesn’t have a very high opinion of herself, huh…
- Clione: It was hard enough to convince her I actually liked her as a friend... I guess making her understand that I mean it romantically, too will be even harder.
b) You’re not being clear enough.
- Clione: I thought I was being really obvious by saying all the romantic things you say when you ask someone out, but maybe Pyri doesn't recognize them?
c) Maybe you should give up.
- Clione: No! This is way too important!
d) You’re doing great, keep trying.

Clione: I don't know what I can say. Pyri's so determined not to believe anything good about herself. She's just as oblivious as she was every time I tried to flirt with her. It's kind of cute... But that's not the point!

Clione: I need to try again. I'm not giving up on her!

Clione swims up to Pyri's door and knocks again.

Pyrifera emerges from her house, shuffling rather than swimming through the water.

Clione: Hey, Pyri? Hypothetical question, but how would you feel if someone said you were the girl of their dreams?

Pyrifera: I'm not sure what kind of dreams people would have about someone like me. Maybe a nightmare? I'd apologize.

Clione: What about if they told you they thought you were extraordinary and different and special?

Pyrifera: Ah. I don't really like standing out, so.

Clione' smile starts looking a little strained. Her tail starts thrashing against the floor, so agitated that she starts to float a little from the constant motion.

Clione: What if they said you were the best thing in their life?

Pyrifera: They probably don't have many good things to compare me to, so I'd feel sorry for them.

Clione: The water under their fins?

Pyrifera: Are they saying I'm beneath them? Ah. It's probably true.

Clione: The smartest, kindest, prettiest girl in the Reefs?

Pyrifera: I guess I'd wonder if they were trying to sell me something? There are a lot of scams in this neighborhood. Clione, what are these questions about?

Clione: I can't tell you! I will, soon, but right now... world-hopper, we gotta go!

Clione grabs you by the arm and practically hauls you away from Pyrifera's house like a sack of potatoes. She doesn't slow down until you're right on the edge of Pyrifera's neighborhood, the houses becoming more orderly the further you swim away.

a) That went well.
b) Are you okay?
c) Hey, I can swim by myself!
d) That was so awkward.

Clione: My nutritionist is going to be so mad at me, but I need sugar right now. I'll hail the carriage.

Clione takes you to a cafe in one of the richer neighborhoods, where the owner shows you to a small, private room overlooking the beautiful coral garden in their backyard.

A waiter brings you a three-tiered platter of dainty sweets without either of you even having to order, tiny petit fours gleaming in jewel tones and pastel shades.

Clione: So, the bad news is that Pyri's totally clueless no matter what I say to her. The good news is that if she's that oblivious, there's no way she's gonna notice any competition.

a) She can’t be that dense, can she?
- Clione: If it was someone else getting called the most beautiful girl in Vaer Reef, she'd get that it's supposed to be romantic. I think she just doesn't think that girl could be her.
b) Competition, for Pyrifera? Really?
- Clione: She has a lot of patients! There's no way none of them have noticed how great Pyri is.
c) Pyri doesn’t seem to have much confidence in herself.
- Clione: We balance each other out. She has too little, and I have too much.

Clione: I wish Pyri could understand how amazing she is, but I can't force her to see herself the way I do. I'm not about to push her into something she's not ready for. Part of the reason we work so well is Pyri's always met me halfway.

Clione: Did I tell you how we first met? I'd just danced this huge festival for the very first time. All of a sudden, everyone knew me, and I had no idea how to handle being popular. I spent so much time hiding from my fans that year!

Clione: I thought I'd found the perfect place to be alone when I realized that Pyri was there, too. I would've left, but then she said that she wouldn't bother me if I wanted to stay. Eventually, I spent enough time sitting there with her in total silence that I got curious about who she was.

Clione: Since Pyri's more of a listener than anything else, she ended up turning the conversation back to me, and... I don't know. It's easy to talk to her. We had a lot more in common than I thought, and pretty soon I was telling her things I'd never told anyone else.

Clione: Having a connection like that with somebody is incredible, you know what I mean? Well, you might not, unless you like somebody, too. Do you?

a) Yes, I do.
- Clione: Oh, wow, really? That's so exciting! Have you told them? Do they like you back?
  - a) They did. (?)
  - b) They didn't. (?)
  - c) I don't know yet.
    - Clione: The waiting's always the worst part, isn't it? I hope you figure it out soon.
b) No, I don’t.
- Clione: Well, romantic relationships aren't the only important kind. Family, friends, your art, your psychological relationship with your own inner self... The great passions of life will be different for everybody.
c) I used to.
- Clione: And? What happened? Did they like you back?
  - a) They did. (?)
  - b) They didn't. (?)
  - c) I don't know yet.
    - Clione: The waiting's always the worst part, isn't it? I hope you figure it out soon.
d) I like lots of people as friends.
- Clione: It's good to have a lot of friends! I don't have very many, so I think it's pretty impressive that you do. It's hard for me to open up to people, you know? Sometimes it feels like finding someone you can be real with takes a miracle.

Clione: You know, that actually reminds me of a production I danced in...

Clione spends the rest of the afternoon telling you theatrical stories, from drama-filled love polygons to the director and actor who married, divorced and remarried several times before realizing they were always meant to be best friends.

a) Tell her about Lilia and Fantasia.
- Clione: Young love! So cute but also, like, so frustrating. I bet you just wanted to pick them up and smush them together.
b) Tell her about Carneau and Celestine.
c) Tell her about the friends you’ve made in your travels.
- Clione: Wow, you meet some interesting people! I guess surface-dwellers have the same problems and drama as the rest of us, huh.

The two of you talk and laugh until all that's left of your afternoon snack is the smears of algae on your empty plates. When you leave the cafe, Clione does a full-body stretch that turns into a lazy, floating somersault.

Clione: I didn't realize how much I needed that! Thanks for the talk, world-hopper.

Clione: All those love stories gave me an idea. I've been relying on words to get through to Pyri, but if there's anything I've learned from the theater it's that we've got nothing without the right atmosphere.

Clione: I'm going to invite Pyrifera to a dinner so romantic she won't be able to mistake it for anything other than a date! Do you think you can help? I'll need to decorate with.

Find 3 decorative items for Clione's romantic dinner.

a) Would these items be good as decor?
b) Okay, I’ll be back.
- Clione appears to have a whole team of waiting fish and chef helping her set up the romantic dinner near the cafe when you return.
- Clione: I have a vision. Coral everywhere... Glowing plankton in tiny little jars... Just like an enchanted reef!
- Clione: My dining room's going to look exactly like our set for Dieter and Vosalin! Well, not exactly, because everyone did die at the end of that ballet, but... Close enough?

Clione: Perfect! This is exactly what I needed to complete the centerpiece. We have some cute glowy lighting, I ordered Pyri's favorite anemones and there's a little bit of perfume in the water to make the whole room smell nicer.

Clione: And for the finishing touch... There are a few people from the orchestra waiting to give us some background music. Do you think you can cue them when it's the right time? Just pick the most romantic moment.

a) I’m not sure if I can…
b) I’d be happy to.
c) Do you really think that’s the best idea?

Before Clione can say anything else, you hear the quiet creak of a door slowly easing open. You wouldn't have thought that the sound meant anything more than a stray wave, but Clione jumps at the noise.

Clione: Everyone get into position! How do I look? Is my hair okay? There's no time to answer, she's here!

Pyrifera: Clione? Oh, and the world-hopper's here, too. Hello. The letter said you needed to talk to me about something.

Clione: Yes! I do! Um, sit down first? Let's have dinner.

Judging by their awkward fidgeting, even the musicians hidden behind the hanging kelp can tell how nervous Clione is. Pyrifera is patient with Clione's abrupt subject changes and sudden silences, but there's no way she hasn't noticed.

a) Cue the music.
- Clione's head snaps up when the music starts, and she frantically rushes through the beginning of her speech.
- Clione: Pyrifera, I've been wanting to tell you this for a while now. I don't know if you've noticed, but I've been looking at you a little differently, and the reason is... It's because... Ah...
b) Wait a little longer.

Eventually, Clione reaches across the table and takes Pyri's hand, leaning in close.

Clione: Pyri...

a) Cue the music.
- Clione's head snaps up when the music starts, and she frantically rushes through the beginning of her speech.
- Clione: Pyrifera, I've been wanting to tell you this for a while now. I don't know if you've noticed, but I've been looking at you a little differently, and the reason is... It's because... Ah…
b) Let her talk first.
- Clione: Pyrifera, I've been wanting to tell you this for a while now. I don't know if you've noticed, but I've been looking at you a little differently, and the reason is... It's because... Ah…
- Even though you haven't given your signal, the musicians decide that now is the best time to strike up a sweet, lilting tune.

Pyrifera: Clione, where is that music coming from?

Clione: Hmm? Oh, I hired a few friends to come over and play for us. You know, to set the mood.

Pyrifera: Are they... Have they been watching me eat this whole time?

Clione: I mean, that was more of the world-hopper's job, but... Oh, this is coming out all wrong!

Clione pulls a cord by the table, and dozens of tiny, multi-colored fish, each no bigger than your thumb, swim out of a basket hanging by the ceiling. They swirl around Pyri and Clione in a beautiful spiral.

Clione: Pyri, you've been my best friend for so long. I care about you so much, and I don't know if I'm imagining it, but lately I've begun to get the idea that maybe you... That we... Feelings...

Pyri gets more and more agitated as Clione struggles to speak. Her eyes dart from Clione to you standing in the corner to the musicians still playing a soft, romantic song behind their curtain of kelp.

a) Give her a thumbs up.
b) Give her a thumbs down.
c) Subtly make a heart with your hands.
d) Pretend she isn’t looking at you.

Pyrifera: I have to go. I'm sorry.

Clione: Pyri, wait!

Pyri backs out of the spiral of swirling fish, sending them swimming in all directions. She throws one last agonized glance towards Clione and runs, swimming out into the street.

a) There are other fish in the sea, Clione.
- Clione: Not for me! Well, okay, I guess if there really is no hope I'll have to move on, eventually... But right now I don't want to!
- -1
b) Are you okay?
c) Go after her!
- Clione: I can't! She ran away from me for a reason.
d) Stand around in awkward silence.

Clione: I must have made her so uncomfortable... I was trying so hard to get my feelings across that I wasn't even thinking about what Pyri would want.

Clione: Do you think you could check up on her, just to make sure she's okay? I don't know if she even wants to see me right now.

It looks like Clione wants you to spend some time with Pyrifera before reporting back. Helping her out a few times should do the trick.

Help Pyrifera with some errands 3 times.

a) Check up on Pyrifera (Quested 3/3 times)
b) Okay, I’ll do my best.
- Clione: You don't have to ask Pyri about me or anything. Just check on her. Make sure she's not panicking. Not too much, at least.
- Clione: I asked the musicians to play me something sad. I mean, they are getting paid for the whole night, so...

You make your way back to Pyrifera's home through the familiar route winding around town. The lights at her door are dimmer than usual and the door is ajar. Pyrifera is even quieter than usual. Her voice is so soft that you have to lean in and strain to understand what she's saying, and she slouches in on herself like she's trying to be as small and unobtrusive as possible.

a) Ask her how she's feeling.
- Pyrifera: There's no need to worry yourself over me.
b) Stare at her until she says something. (?)
c) Do you have a crush on Clione or not?
- Pyrifera: I. I don't think I can talk about that.
d) Give her space.
- You refrain from even looking at Pyri as she gathers her thoughts. She seems to appreciate the silence.

Pyrifera: I hope Clione's not angry. She was trying to do something nice, I think, and I ran away without saying anything. I'd be upset, if I was her.

a) Sounds like you're angry at yourself.
- Pyrifera: If it was Clione, she would've stayed and talked. She doesn't run away like I do. We're different people, so there's no use wishing...
  - a) Wait for Pyri to tell you what she means.
  - b) Wishing what? (?)
b) She seemed pretty distressed. (?)
c) I'm sure she's fine.
- Pyrifera: Clione's too forgiving. When it comes to me, at least.
d) Wait for Pyri to tell you what she means.

Pyrifera falls silent again, seemingly more interested in the plants on her windowsill than your conversation. It takes a full minute before she's comfortable enough to continue talking.

Pyrifera: Clione's strong. No matter what happens, she picks herself up and keeps going. She has this way of deciding she won't let her problems matter to her... It's incredible.

Pyrifera: When we first met, she wouldn't stop trying to get to know me, even when I thought it was all some strange trick. Even now, I still get overwhelmed and I shut down. All the time.

Pyrifera: She accepts me, every time, even when she doesn't understand. Which is good. Sometimes I don't even understand myself.

a) She likes you! Romantically!
- Pyrifera: I... That can't be true.
b) She cares about you.
- Pyrifera: I don't know why. It's a gift I don't deserve.
c) You two have something special. (?)
d) I get overwhelmed too.
- Pyrifera: We're the same, then. It's hard, isn't it? Not being able to do things that come so easily to everyone else.

Pyrifera: Clione always reaches out. Even if I still have to work to meet her halfway, trying is easier because I know she's trying, too.

Pyrifera: Trying wasn't enough, today. I ran away from her. Even though she was working so hard to tell me something...

a) Maybe you should go talk to her.
- Pyrifera: Clione's never given up on me. I can't give up on her.
b) Why did you run away?
- Pyrifera: Everything was too much. The orchestra was looking at me. You were, too. I didn't... I couldn't live up to whatever was about to happen.
c) She's in love with you, you fool!
- Pyrifera: Ah. You're making fun of me, aren't you? I don't know why you think that's funny, but. Then again, I don't understand most jokes about me.
d) It was probably important. (?)

Pyrifera: I have to go talk to her. Clione's... important. I can't let myself ruin this by doing nothing.

Pyri swims off towards Clione's house, so quickly that she almost leaves you behind. She ducks past pedestrians and barrels over carriages, for once not trying to melt unobtrusively into the shadows.

The musicians have all already left by the time you and Pyrifera arrive at Clione's house, and the water smells like regular salt instead of Clione's fancy perfume. She's lying on the couch staring at the tiny fish still swimming around her ceiling when the two of you walk in.

Clione: Pyri! What are you doing here? I mean, you're always welcome, but... I didn't think you'd come back.

Pyrifera: You wanted to talk to me, didn't you? You never finished your speech. Though with everything you were saying about love and compliments... I think I might know.

Clione: You do?

Pyrifera: Clione... I'm sorry.

Disappointment flutters across Clione's face for the briefest second before she pastes a fixed smile back over it. She can't keep eye contact with either of you, instead choosing to stare fixedly at Pyri's chin.

Clione: It's okay.

Pyrifera: It must have been difficult for you, especially after I ran away. I'm sorry you had to deal with all my emotions, but... Thank you. For trying so hard to let me down easy.

Clione's head snaps up, her hair and tail bouncing.

Clione: Wait, what?

Pyrifera: I tried to hide it, but I guess I wasn't good enough. When you noticed the feelings I have for you, you must have been so upset. Was I staring at your smile too much? Sometimes it's like I can't help myself.

Clione scrambles up and practically launches herself off the couch with a powerful swipe of her tail, crashing into Pyrifera with none of her usual grace. Pyri takes hold of her shoulders to steady her, and Clione relaxes into the embrace.

Clione: Who said I was trying to let you down easy? You have it all wrong. Pyri, I like you! Romantically, I mean. Just so there isn't any more confusion.

Clione: I've been trying to tell you for so long. That's why I gave you all those compliments the other day. That's what dinner was about! How did you not notice?

Pyrifera: Every time I hoped you might like me, I thought it was... wishful thinking. Too good to be true. And the world-hopper was also there, both times, so it didn't seem that, um. Private, or romantic.

Reminded that you're here now, too, Clione and Pyri both glance your way.

a) Start sneaking away.
b) Give them a little wave.
c) Stare back. (?)
d) Pretend you weren't listening in.

Clione reluctantly untangles herself from Pyrifera and turns towards you.

Clione: Pyrifera, I'll be back in a sec. Don't go anywhere! World-hopper, come with me.

Clione takes you all the way to her front doorstep, and the moment the door closes she lets out an falsetto scream so loud you can practically feel it move the water around you.

Clione: World-hopper! Did you hear that? Pyri likes me! She just like, swam up to me, completely honest about her emotions, even though she had no idea I felt the same way. Wasn't she so cool?

a) That's not exactly my idea of coolness.
- Clione: Well, you're not the one Pyri has feelings for, so I guess your opinion doesn't matter! I thought it was incredible.
b) It was pretty impressive.
- Clione: I swooned, world-hopper. Right into her arms!
c) She was braver than you are.
- Clione: I know, right? Pyri's the best!
d) You two need to work on your communication issues. (?)

Clione: Thanks for listening to me ramble on about Pyrifera today, and for coming along on all my plans. Even though none of them, like, worked, it was still nice, you know?

Clione: I hadn't felt so nervous about something since the first time I danced my own recital... or so happy, either. Pyri likes me! Can you believe it?

Clione pulls you into a quick hug and spins you around, lifting you with surprising strength. After she puts you down, she does another pirouette solo, too happy to be satisfied with just one twirl.

Clione: I'm lucky to have Pyri, but I'm also lucky to have you as a friend. We'll talk later, okay? Pyri and I still have so much to talk about... I'll tell you all about it next time!

With one last hug and a jaunty wave, Clione swims back into the house, practically glowing with excitement. You catch a glimpse of her returning to Pyri's side and the both of them exchanging affectionate smiles.

It looks like your work here is done.

Complete quest.

Here will be the condensed version of the quest

Quest Rewards
Stat Rewards	5,000 Potatoes	+5 Affection with Clione
Item Rewards	Clione's Seascape	Clione's Golden Tail
Item Rewards	Clione's Totem	Sea Sapling

Pyrifera: A Life of Medicine

Quest Information
Speak With	Pyrifera
Prerequisites	Main Quest: Conferring with Pyrifera
Description	"You help Pyrifera at her Apothecary for a day."

Full Transcript

Pyrifera: World-hopper. You're here.

Pyri always seems vaguely surprised to see you, blinking twice as if she can't quite believe her eyes.

Pyrifera: I'm a poor host today. I didn't prepare any snacks for guests. There are some kelpwiches left over from yesterday, but they're not very good. Kelp was expensive at the vegetable stand, so I substituted brown algae. But it turns out that the main ingredient in kelpwiches... is kelp. That's why mine taste so bad.

a) I’ll still eat it.
- Pyrifera: Are you sure? I'm really not exaggerating.
  - a) I’ll pass.
  - b) I’m sure.
    - Pyri goes off to her kitchen and returns with a brown, gloopy mass in a bowl. It practically oozes into your mouth when you take a bite, intensely bitter with a consistency that manages to be stringy and slimy at the same time.
b) I’ll pass.

Pyrifera: It won't be very interesting here today, either. Not that it ever is. I have too many errands to run for my patients. Unless you want to come along, you'll be sitting alone in my empty shop. Which still might be more enjoyable than accompanying me...

a) I’ll come with you on your errands.
- Pyrifera: Really? Well, you can't say I didn't warn you. Or, ah. You can, I suppose. If you wanted to lie. I wouldn't stop you.
b) I’ll come back some other time.

Pyrifera ducks her head, drifting over to her dingy medicine cabinet to check for stores. Even though the whole thing is made out of slowly rotting driftwood and held together with bits of net and seaweed ropes, it's surprisingly sturdy and well-stocked.

Pyrifera: I should gather some more anemones... and I need to purchase groceries. We should go to the market.

Instead of the tall, spacious building Poe shops at, Pyri takes you to a warren of tiny alleyways, nets strung loosely over each street to keep the merchandise from floating away.

Pyrifera: Stay close to me. There are pickpockets here. The last time they tried to steal from me, all I had in my pocket was loose string... They came back to yell at me for wasting their time, but now the thieves all leave me alone.

Pyrifera pulls you along through the crowd, deftly avoiding both hawkers waving their merchandise in your face and a few groups of camouflaged cuttlefish grabbing at your ankles. She has a way of finding the gaps between people and slipping through, and you're barely quick enough to follow in her wake. Quite a few shoppers in the crowd nod to her or wave hello. A gambler betting on jellyfish races tells Pyri he'll come see her about ointment for his leg later, and a group of children shriek and dive for cover when she passes by.

Pyrifera: Children don't like going to see the healer. Especially if I'm trying to make them take their medicine.

Finally, Pyri ends up at a street with stands that are somehow even shabbier than the rest. The awnings are tattered with holes, the vendors sullen and sunken-eyed. Pyri goes to an old tiger shark with a vegetable stand first.

Pyrifera: This is Granny Efania. She's one of my patients. Could you help hold her mouth open for me?

a) What? Why?
- Pyrifera: Her back teeth have been giving her trouble lately. I have to check them. It's harder if I have to do it on my own. Granny Efania bites on reflex.
  - Sure, I'll help.
  - No way!
b) Sure, I’ll help.
c) Is she okay with that?
- Granny Efania laughs at your trepidation and tells you not to worry. She does tend to bite on reflex, but Pyri has been treating her for months now and nobody's been seriously injured yet. (repeats)
d) No way!

Pyri has you holding onto either side of Efania's jaw, your fingers very close to her rows of sharp, serrated teeth. You watch in horror as Pyri sticks her entire hand into the mouth, filing down one of the old shark's back teeth with a piece of rough seaglass. You can feel the muscles of Efania's jaw twitching beneath your hands, like you're the only thing preventing thousands of years of evolutionary instinct from taking off Pyrifera's hand.

Pyrifera: The problem is that your gums are weakening, but... We'd have to save up for months to afford that medicine. I tried to file down your tooth, so it at least won't hurt when you eat. Try biting down a few times and tell me if it feels better?

The old woman gnashes her teeth in the air a few times, then nods in satisfaction. As payment, she offers Pyri a discount of two potatoes on any item in her shop.

a) Only two potatoes?
- Pyrifera: World-hopper. It's fine. It didn't take me very long to help, and... Efania has to eat, too.
b) You’re not going to get paid?
- Pyrifera: World-hopper. It's fine. It didn't take me very long to help, and... Efania has to eat, too.
c) Get something delicious!
d) Watch Pyri get groceries.

Pyrifera carries the little bundle of algae she buys as she makes her way through the market, stopping to chat occasionally with her customers. She advises old men on their buoyancy issues, expectant parents on the health of their eggs. She makes her way over to a food stall surrounded by a group of rowdy parrotfish, they appear to be off-duty rickshaw drivers, on a break from pulling carriages all across Vaer Reef. They energetically chatter away at Pyrifera about their livelihoods and ask a variety of health related questions. Pyri is buffeted about and slapped encouragingly on the back a few times as she tries very hard to answer their questions. After the discombobulation, Pyrifera is looking a little worn out, so the rickshaw drivers all band together to buy her a plate of kebabs. She offers you a bite.

a) Try some.
- You take a careful bite of the strange vegetable kebab Pyri hands you, and almost immediately feel like your entire mouth is on fire. The kebab is intensely spicy, numbing your entire tongue and the back of your throat.
  - a) Keep eating.
    - A few bites more, and you find yourself enjoying the burning sensation. You get a sudden jolt of energy, enough to swim around the entire city twice. One of the rickshaw drivers slaps you on the back in approval of your tenacity and spirit.
  - b) Finish eating.
    - Pyri eats the rest of the meal herself.
b) Decline.

Pyrifera is now deep in conversation with some of the older drivers. They're still powerfully muscled despite their graying hair, but they move with a creakiness that betrays their age.

Pyrifera: You've strained your back muscles... The best way to heal it is with rest.

The drivers shake their heads. They can't take so much time off work, not with so many mouths to feed at home. Pyrifera nods, kelp hair rippling in front of her face.

Pyrifera: I'll teach you how to make a brace to protect your back then. That way, your joints might get enough support to lessen any damage. If you come by my shop later, I might have a soothing anemone paste that can relieve some of the pain.

The boisterous mood builds as the serious discussion ends, passersby are beginning to ignore the food stall due to the parrotfish and Pyrifera blocking view to the wares. The owner of the stall swims out and tells all of you to leave if all you're going to buy is a kebab. Pyri has to rush through her brace demonstration, then hurries away with her little bundle of algae in hand and you swimming beside her.

a) I can’t believe that jerk threw us out!
- Pyrifera: Really? I can... We did only buy one plate of kebabs. I'd throw me out too, if I was brave enough.
b) Driving a rickshaw sounds tough.
- Pyrifera: It certainly can be, I couldn't imagine it, I don't think I have the constitution for it...
c) Those patients didn’t pay you, either.
- Pyrifera: I didn't ask them to. Sometimes when they get a good tip, they'll come by and leave me a share. I'm not doing much for them though...
d) Are the rickshaw drivers going to be okay?
- Pyrifera: If they don't overwork themselves, and follow the healing instructions. Although some of them are extra boisterous, we'll have to see.

Pyrifera: I'm not a real doctor, I don't have the advanced equipment or medical supplies that doctors would normally have. All I have are my herbs and traditional remedies. I'm not qualified, really... I see patients who I can't completely heal all the time, I'm only able to lessen their aches and pains and advise them on more healthy habits. It's a miracle anyone even listens to my advice, considering my abysmal cure rates. If there was a more qualified doctor here, I'm sure my shop would be empty by now.

a) I’m sure you’re helping them more than you think.
- Pyrifera: I... I know I can be pessimistic. In any case...
b) You’re doing the best you can.
- Pyrifera: No... Well, yes but my best is not enough.
c) Vaer Reef would be much worse off without you.
- Pyrifera: They survived before me, and I'm sure they'll survive after me. It might be worse, but... I don't know about much worse. That feels like an exaggeration.
d) That’s rough, I’m sorry.

Pyrifera: It's not so bad... Don't mind my griping. I have my trade as a healer, and I have a little bit of skill. I don't deserve my good fortune, but the life you end up with doesn't always have to do with whether or not you've earned it.

a) I think everyone deserves good fortune.
- Pyrifera: I wonder if good fortune is something that's finite... it sure feels like it sometimes.
b) Pirates can get ahead so easily.
- Pyrifera: Maybe. I've seen some pirates get wealthy from exploiting the system, but many end up going back home to be a farmer or decide that it isn't the life for them. And I don't blame them, how do you live with yourself knowing you hurt other people for a living?
- Pyrifera shudders for a moment and dejectedly combs her fingers through her hair.
- Pyrifera: I do my best to be the opposite of that... But, I'm still not very good.
c) If you’re good to other people, they’ll be good to you back.
- Pyrifera: What's good, though? Is it helping people, giving them things? Not everyone puts the same value on these actions.
d) You mean life is random?

Pyrifera: I think life can be unforgiving on the reef, especially recently. Disaster can strike in the blink of an eye, like those sea beasts that have been destroying farms. They never used to do that. All we can do in the face of these things is try our best, and not rely too much on luck.

a) That’s pretty brave of you.
- Pyrifera: Thank you, but I don't feel brave at all.
b) The worst might not happen though!
- Pyrifera: That's true, but... if it does, I'd rather expect it than be surprised.
c) That sounds dangerous!
- Pyrifera: I agree, everything is so dangerous...
d) Murmur in agreement.

Pyrifera: I know it's my bad habit, but I have to apologize for my philosophical moaning. Sorry.

Pyri's been leading you through her district as you talk, the houses built with all sorts of eclectic collected material as you head out towards the open ocean. Her soft, quiet voice trails to an mumbling stop.

Pyrifera: I'm not an expert on life or anything. I hope you don't consider me an expert just because I drone on...

a) You’re wrong, the world isn’t so bad.
- Pyrifera: It's definitely possible. You probably have different ideas about how the world works, with your traveling and your friendships. I've barely seen the other side of the city, and I have three friends. So my point of reference... is different from yours.
b) Don’t worry, you’re only an expert in medicine.
- Pyrifera: O-oh...
c) I like debating philosophically.
- Pyrifera: I'm... glad.
d) I think you have a pretty solid idea of who you are.
- Pyrifera: I... guess I might. Unless Vaer himself is going to ascend from the deeps and give us both a vision, we can only state our own opinions.

Pyri brings you to a cluster of vibrant coral, delicate pink and orange strands extending up above your heads.

Pyrifera: I gather most of my medicines myself. It takes more time to find things growing out in the wild, but I know what to look for. There are always plants I can't find, though. Some of the most useful ones are the most rare. Sea Saplings and Cabbages make incredibly good anti-inflammatory properties, but they don't grow here. The inferior versions are a little difficult to forage, so I can do that and you can... stand here, I suppose? You need a lot more, so it takes some time.

If Pyrifera gets a Sea Sapling and a Cabbage, she won't need to spend so much time foraging. Maybe you should bring her some to speed up the process.

a) I have the plants you were talking about.
b) I’ll be back.
- (Upon return) Pyrifera: I try to keep this reef a secret. If people knew the plants that grow here could be valuable, it'd be plucked clean in a week. It takes a while to learn how to tell everything apart. See these anemones? You have to get them when they're dark purple, but once they're too dark, they're poisonous.
  - I have the plants you were talking about.

Pyrifera: Thank you! Or, ah... I don't mean to presume. You don't have to give me the plants. You might have just been showing them to me.

a) Why would I show you plants without giving them to you?
- Pyrifera: I don't know. Maybe you're proud of your horticultural knowledge. +3 Affection
b) I’ll keep them if you don’t want them.
c) I was pranking you. Of course I’m keeping them!
- Pyrifera: Ah. I'm not sure if that's humorous to me, but you can be amused by whatever you like. -3 Affection, (+Sea Sapling, Cabbage)
- Pyrifera dutifully shows you some of the medicinal plants that grow around Vaer Reef. The line between medicinal and poisonous is thin, and Pyri warns you about several of the more gruesome toxins.
d) Of course I’m giving you the plants.
- Pyrifera: Really? This is... I don't know why you're being so kind to me, but thank you. These will be helpful. + 3 Affection
- Her mood slightly buoyed by your gift, Pyrifera shows you some of the medicinal plants that grow around Vaer Reef. The line between medicinal and poisonous is thin, and Pyri warns you about several of the more gruesome toxins.

Ingredients gathered, the two of you hurry back to Pyri's shop, where a few customers are already waiting in her front garden.

Pyrifera: I try to open at the same time every day. It doesn't stop people from banging on my door in the middle of the night, but. It's good for my customers to know exactly when my opening hours are, I think.

You and Pyri unlock the door and take your places behind the counter, greeting customers as they drift in. Some of them today are only there to pick up their regular orders, but others need more personalized attention. A young octopus barters a bolt of cloth in exchange for a bandage to put on the weird rash they've just developed, and several older gentlemen file in to debate Pyri on the best supplements for good digestion.

Pyrifera: It's always more lively when I first open. People who are hurt or just got sick always want to see me right away. Afterwards, though, it'll be so quiet that we'll be practically alone.

Before Pyri's prediction can come true, you hear a commotion rising outside. Her customers move towards the walls almost by instinct, bracing themselves against barrels and shelves. Whoever's coming has them scared.

Wras: Front of the line! Make way and let us through if you know what's good for you.

Wras drags a crewmember behind him. Once he gets to Pyri's counter, he surveys the rattled customers still trying not to make eye contact and tosses a sack of spuds into the crowd. They shove each other to claim them, knocking medicines off the shelves in their hurry.

Pyrifera: Wras. You really didn't have to do that. Or at least, if you wanted to, you could've made a mess outside instead.

Wras: Not a chance! There's no fun in that, is there?

Pyrifera: People don't usually come to my shop for fun. Anyone looking for a good time... should stay far away.

Wras: Truer words have never been mumbled. World-hopper, you know what they used to call Pyri here in grade school?

a) What…?
b) Her name?
c) I don’t want to hear it.
d) Say nothing.

Wras: They called her nothing, 'cause no one even remembered she was there.

Pyrifera: You are a pestilence upon this shop.

Wras: Hah! Whatever, I ain't here to argue. My idiot crewman here sliced up his arm on an anchor. Fix him up and I'll pay you in some actual, real-deal potatoes. Full price. Bet that might even be a first for you, huh, Pyri? None of these bottom feeders in your store look like they got two clams to rub together.

Pyrifera: It wouldn't be a first for me. I've been paid before.

Pyri swims swiftly past Wras and takes a look at the crewman's arm. She ties it up with kelp and bandages, packing herbs between the layers of dense cloth.

Pyrifera: I think you should go to a real doctor soon, but... That should keep the wound from being infected.

Wras: You might not be a medical professional, but at least you're not a snitch. That makes this rinky-dink operation you've got going on here good enough for our purposes. Catch!

Wras tosses a sack of potatoes over the counter. Pyrifera looks at it glumly instead of catching it, letting it bounce awkwardly onto the floor.

Wras: Not bad for an amoral criminal, huh?

Pyrifera: You've certainly made yourself very wealthy.

Wras: Don't flatter my fins, Pyrifera. You all looked down your noses at me when I went my own way, but now look at you and look at me! You're stuck down in the trenches, and I have ships that soar over the surface!

Pyrifera: It wasn't a compliment.

Wras: Whatever. I don't want anything from any of the losers who live here anymore! I'm my own fish now, and your approval means nothing to me! Keep the change!

Wras's crewman flinches at the frown on his captain's face, but Pyrifera doesn't betray anything but her usual placid calm. He storms out of the shop, dragging his crewman behind him.

a) Wras is the worst!
- Pyrifera: You are probably not wrong. He's certainly one of the greatest thorns in the city's side at the moment.
b) What was that all about?
- Pyrifera: It seems Wras is still trying to prove himself. He wants to be right. For everyone to think he's the best. He always has.
c) Wow, you insulted Wras so easily.
- Pyrifera: I don't know... It's not difficult considering the kind of person he is.
d) Does Wras always come here for medical help?
- Pyrifera: He can't go to a real doctor. They'd report him.

Pyrifera: Wras and I have known each other for a long time. I'm probably one of the few people who remembers him as just another kid from the neighborhood, even though he's more than that, now. Unfortunately, he hasn't changed very much... He was always just kind of like this. But he keeps his upbringing a secret from outsiders so he can appear tougher, less easy to take advantage of.

a) Were you ever tempted to be a pirate?
- Pyrifera: I've never felt like I had the right to take from others or cause suffering.
b) He’ll pay for his crimes some day.
- Pyrifera: That is a likely scenario, unless he leaves the reef entirely perhaps... but I doubt he will. Many forces clash so significantly in this city, we can only hope everything will be alright after the dust settles.
c) I don’t know, Wras seems pretty cool.
- Pyrifera: ...Cool?
- Pyrifera: To each their own. It's often outsiders that are the most forgiving, but- Ah... I didn't mean to call you an outsider. I'm sorry.
d) He sure did make a mess.
- Pyrifera: It is certainly not pleasant company.

The shop goes quiet after Wras leaves. A few customers come by, but only after glancing through the window to make certain that Wras is gone. Even fewer pay in actual potatoes. Some of Pyri's customers try to barter, others ask her to put the cost of medicine on their tabs and still more can't offer anything better than a "please." Pyrifera accepts what they can give with a matter-of-fact manner that seems to brighten the mood in the customers.

Pyrifera: I think Wras may have scared most of my customers away. The only thing that's left to do is... Could you help me with my accounts? They're usually accurate, but it's always good to double-check. Especially with matters of money.

It's harder than you thought it would be to Comprehend the dizzying lines of numbers and bartered materials in Pyrifera's ledger. You might need to be more Comprehending before you can understand it.

Raising your Comprehension by 8 should be enough.

I'll be back.

Pyrifera's next customer glances at you before pulling Pyri into a corner to discuss his order. Unfortunately, the shop is small enough for sound to carry, and you learn more about his digestive issues than you really want to know. Pyri mumbles to herself as she puts together medicines, chanting her lists of ingredients and instructions by heart as she works.

a) Look through Pyri’s accounts. (increased 8/8 Times)
b) I’ll be back.

When you finish all your calculations, you have to look them over a second time to make sure you didn't go horribly wrong somewhere. If everything's correct, then Pyrifera's shop is barely making money at all.

a) I’m not sure if I’m doing this right.
- Pyrifera: Let me take a look? Ah. There aren't any errors. It would be nice if there were and I actually made more money than I thought, but... That's incredibly unlikely. You don't earn many potatoes when you give medicine away for free or accept day-old kelpwiches as payments.
b) Pyri! You’re barely breaking even!
- Pyrifera: You don't earn many potatoes when you give medicine away for free or accept day-old kelpwiches as payments.
c) I finished your accounts.
- Pyrifera: You don't earn many potatoes when you give medicine away for free or accept day-old kelpwiches as payments.
d) Silently hand Pyri her accounts back.

Pyrifera: I suppose I could be more strict with my customers, but they might not be able to pay. You can't make someone who just doesn't have the potatoes pay up with a little strictness.

a) You’re being taken advantage of.
- Pyrifera: Probably. If I don't enforce my bills but grocers and landlords do, I get paid last. Some of my customers don't pay because they know they can get away with it, but others can't afford to. There's no way to tell.
b) You’re helping others but hurting yourself.
- Pyrifera: Am I? I don't need much. I usually don't go places, or buy things. I own the shop and live above it, so I don't have rent to pay.
c) You’re a good person.
- Pyrifera: Am I? I don't need much. I usually don't go places, or buy things. I own the shop and live above it, so I don't have rent to pay.
d) That sounds hard.

Pyrifera: I'm not under any illusions about saving anyone or being a hero. I'm just a person who knows some things about herbs. All I can do... is the tasks in front of me. Sometimes they work, and sometimes they don't, but I try every day. And then the next day I wake up and I try again. Life isn't so hard, when you treat it like that.

a) That sounds tiring.
- Pyrifera: It is, but... I'm not exhausted yet.
b) That’s pretty amazing.
- Pyrifera: It's what we all do, isn't it? We survive, and try to improve what we can. Well. Unless you're a pirate, I guess...
c) I don’t know if I could do that.
- Pyrifera: That's alright. There are probably very many things you can do that I can't.
d) Nod thoughtfully.

Pyrifera: It's getting late. I don't think any more customers are coming in. But you can... only if you want to... you can stay, for a while.

a) I’ll stay.
- You and Pyrifera sit in her shop as night begins to fall. She doesn't seem to have much to say, but the movement of her hands as she prepares her medicines is mesmerizing enough to lull you into a quiet peace.
b) I should be heading out.

Pyri walks you out of the shop, even though you're only a few feet away. She puts two jars of glowing algae on either side of her doorway, lights left to guide urgent patients to her door.

Pyrifera: Today... was good. Or, well. It wasn't bad. You can come by again, if you ever want to.

You can see Pyrifera go back to work as you leave, her skin tinted a dark navy by her algae lamps. Illuminated by their glow, her shabby little shop shines like a steadfast beacon of light in the darkness.

Rewards: Pyrifera's Kelpcake, 2000 Potatoes, +5 Affection with Pyrifera

You enter Pyrifera's shop. She realizes she doesn't have any fresh food to offer you other than brown algae sandwiches.

Pyrifera: But it turns out that the main ingredient in kelpwiches... is kelp. That's why mine taste so bad.

a) I’ll still eat it.
- I’ll pass.
- I’m sure.

Pyrifera mentions that all she has to do today is go on her errands.

a) I’ll come with you on your errands.
b) I’ll come back some other time.

She packs her bag from her cabinet and the two of you head off to shop for groceries and gather anemones. The market is busy, but everyone seems to know Pyrifera's name. Eventually, you end up at the home of one of Pyrifera's patients.

Pyrifera: This is Granny Efania. She's one of my patients. Could you help hold her mouth open for me?

a) What? Why?
b) Sure, I’ll help.
c) Is she okay with that?
d) No way!

Pyrifera files down some of Granny Efania's aching teeth while lamenting that she needs proper care. In thanks, Granny Efania offers Pyrifera a discount from her shop.

a) Only two potatoes?
b) You’re not going to get paid?
c) Get something delicious!
d) Watch Pyri get groceries.

The two of you continue to wander through the market and end up chatting with a group of rickshaw drivers. They band together to buy the two of you some kebabs.

a) Try some.
b) Decline.

Pyrifera offers treatment advice to some of the rickshaw drivers and the owner of the kebab stand chases you all away.

a) I can’t believe that jerk threw us out!
b) Driving a rickshaw sounds tough.
c) Those patients didn’t pay you, either.
d) Are the rickshaw drivers going to be okay?

Pyrifera laments that she isn't qualified to be a real doctor and that all she can give is advice.

Pyrifera: If there was a more qualified doctor here, I'm sure my shop would be empty by now.

a) I’m sure you’re helping them more than you think.
b) You’re doing the best you can.
c) Vaer Reef would be much worse off without you.
d) That’s rough, I’m sorry.

Pyrifera apologizes for complaining.

Pyrifera: I don't deserve my good fortune, but the life you end up with doesn't always have to do with whether or not you've earned it.

a) I think everyone deserves good fortune.
b) Pirates can get ahead so easily.
c) If you’re good to other people, they’ll be good to you back.
d) You mean life is random?

Pyrifera: All we can do in the face of these things is try our best, and not rely too much on luck.

a) That’s pretty brave of you.
b) The worst might not happen though!
c) That sounds dangerous!
d) Murmur in agreement.

You continue your walk through the market. Pyrifera once again apologizes for talking too much.

Pyrifera: I'm not an expert on life or anything. I hope you don't consider me an expert just because I drone on...

a) You’re wrong, the world isn’t so bad.
b) Don’t worry, you’re only an expert in medicine.
c) I like debating philosophically.
d) I think you have a pretty solid idea of who you are.

The two of you end up at a coral reef where Pyrifera mentions she gathers most of her medicines.

Pyrifera: Sea Saplings and Cabbages make incredibly good anti-inflammatory properties, but they don't grow here. The inferior versions are a little difficult to forage, so I can do that and you can... stand here, I suppose? You need a lot more, so it takes some time.

If Pyrifera gets a Sea Sapling and a Cabbage, she won't need to spend so much time foraging. Maybe you should bring her some to speed up the process.

a) I have the plants you were talking about.
b) I’ll be back.

Pyrifera: Thank you! Or, ah... I don't mean to presume. You don't have to give me the plants. You might have just been showing them to me.

a) Why would I show you plants without giving them to you? +3 , (-Sea Sapling, -Cabbage)
b) I’ll keep them if you don’t want them. (?)
c) I was pranking you. Of course I’m keeping them! -3 , (+Sea Sapling, +Cabbage)
d) Of course I’m giving you the plants. +3 , (-Sea Sapling, -Cabbage)

The two of you return to Pyrifera's shop after inspecting the reef. You treat some customers before Wras appears with an injured crewmate and causes a commotion.

Wras: Truer words have never been mumbled. World-hopper, you know what they used to call Pyri here in grade school?

a) What…?
b) Her name?
c) I don’t want to hear it.
d) Say nothing.

Pyrifera treats the crewmate and trades some barbs with Wras before he pays her and storms out.

a) Wras is the worst!
b) What was that all about?
c) Wow, you insulted Wras so easily.
d) Does Wras always come here for medical help?

Pyrifera mentions that she's known Wras since he was young.

Pyrifera: Unfortunately, he hasn't changed very much... He was always just kind of like this. But he keeps his upbringing a secret from outsiders so he can appear tougher, less easy to take advantage of.

a) Were you ever tempted to be a pirate?
b) He’ll pay for his crimes some day.
c) I don’t know, Wras seems pretty cool.
d) He sure did make a mess.

The shop quiets down after Wras' exit. After a while, Pyrifera asks you to balance her ledger.

Raising your Comprehension by 8 should be enough.

a) Look through Pyri’s accounts. (increased 8/8 Times)
b) I’ll be back.

After you finish your calculations, it looks like Pyrifera's shop isn't making much money at all.

a) I’m not sure if I’m doing this right.
b) Pyri! You’re barely breaking even!
c) I finished your accounts.
d) Silently hand Pyri her accounts back.

Pyrifera: I suppose I could be more strict with my customers, but they might not be able to pay. You can't make someone who just doesn't have the potatoes pay up with a little strictness.

a) You’re being taken advantage of.
b) You’re helping others but hurting yourself.
c) You’re a good person.
d) That sounds hard.

She mentions that she's not under any illusions about being a hero.

Pyrifera: And then the next day I wake up and I try again. Life isn't so hard, when you treat it like that.

a) That sounds tiring.
b) That’s pretty amazing.
c) I don’t know if I could do that.
d) Nod thoughtfully.

Pyrifera: It's getting late. I don't think any more customers are coming in. But you can... only if you want to... you can stay, for a while.

a) I’ll stay.
b) I should be heading out.

Pyrifera walks you out and adds glowing algae lamps to the front of her shop.

You can see Pyrifera go back to work as you leave, her skin tinted a dark navy by her algae lamps. Illuminated by their glow, her shabby little shop shines like a steadfast beacon of light in the darkness.

Quest Rewards
Stat Rewards	2,000 Potatoes	+5 Affection with Pyrifera
Item Rewards	Pyrifera's Kelpcake

Pyrifera: A Wave Of Uncertainty

Quest Information
Speak With	Pyrifera
Prerequisites	500 Affection
Description	"Pyrifera's troubled and fearful when you visit her, you're prepared to help."

Full Transcript

Pyrifera seems somehow even more stressed than she usually is today. She's compulsively checking and re-checking her stores of herbs, hands busy rolling kelp bandages.

Pyrifera: World-hopper. You're here. I... Sorry, I have to check the fortifications on the windows. I'll be right back. Pyrifera flits over to the front of the shop, where all her windows have been reinforced by kelp strips and bundled seagrass. She taps each one twice, pressing her palm against them to test their strength.

Pyrifera: They'll hold. Probably. And I have two boxes of bandages. Though maybe that might not be enough... I'll find more. I should have some disaster kits left over from the last wave warning.

Pyrifera: Every few years, a massive underwater wave sweeps through this part of the ocean. The researchers at the university can predict when they come, but they can't tell us where. Most of them never even hit the city.

Pyrifera: I've been mocked for preparing so much every time. Even though it's the most prudent course of action. That's why I called you here to help. With the two of us... we can prepare even better.

a) I'd be happy to help.
b) Maybe not right now.
- Pyrifera: Of course. I mean, it's not urgent. Just my own nerves.
  - I'll come back later.
    - Pyrifera: As for non-perishable food stores, I have a lot of algae bricks. They're not exactly delicious. Given that they're usually used as building material. But they are very edible.
    - Pyrifera: If we're caught out in the wave when it happens, we could be swept all the way across the city. There's an old story about a young boy who was swept out into the wilderness. He swam for months before he found Vaer Reef again.

Pyrifera: Good. We have to make sure my shop is structurally secure, and put together supplies for the neighborhood. There used to be a Disaster Preparation Association... My father took me to meetings as a child.

Pyrifera: It's long gone now, and my father's moved out to the countryside. If we want to get the neighborhood ready, we'll have to do it ourselves.

a) What happened to the disaster preparation group?
- Pyrifera: As the years went by, it fell into decline. There hasn't been a very bad wave in decades, and as wave after wave passed with no catastrophe, people lost interest. They stopped seeing the need to plan for something that might never happen.
b) Your father?
- Pyrifera: Ah. Yes. It's a little too far to visit regularly, but he still sends letters. Mostly various instructions on keeping myself safe. He worries.
c) Why won't anyone else help?
- Pyrifera: I suppose it's not a priority for them. Some of them might put together a wave kit once in a while, but most don't think about the waves at all.
d) Nod thoughtfully. (?)

Pyrifera: My shop may seem shabby, but it's built to last. The only way it'd get knocked down in the wave is if a wild sea beast got swept into our street, mistook my shop for a predator in its confusion, and decided to attack the building...

Pyrifera: Or if the wave pushes multiple wild sea beasts and they start attacking each other, destroying my store in the heat of the fight. Or if several tons of debris hit a load-bearing wall at exactly the right angle, all at once.

Pyrifera: Actually, now that I think about it, there are several ways for my shop to be destroyed. None of them are very common, but... what if...

a) Isn't there any way you could make the building any stronger?
- Pyrifera: Not without remaking it from the very foundations. That would require months of work and money I don't have.
b) Those don't seem like very likely scenarios.
- Pyrifera: True, but... Unlikely things happen every day.
c) You think too much about these things.
- Pyrifera: It's not like I can stop my brain from thinking. I wouldn't even want to if I could. Even if I worry too much... I like knowing what the possibilities are.
d) Scary, isn't it? (?)

Pyrifera paces as she twists her fingers together, muttering under her breath. She slouches a little when she walks, head bowed enough that her hair falls in front of her face like a curtain.

Pyrifera: If my shop is destroyed... I won't be able to access my disaster kits or medicines. So I should find multiple places to store things. Maybe I'll bury them in the front garden? This house doesn't have a cellar.

Pyrifera: I suppose I could stay over at Clione's until I could find other shelter. Losing the store would be difficult. Though if I had to, I could always set up a market stall or a cart.

Pyrifera: And the worst case scenario, if the wave destroys the entire city and plunges us all back into the days before civilization... what would I do then?

a) Go live with your father in the countryside?
- Pyrifera: That's not a bad plan. He grows most of his own food, out there. I'm sure he'd take me in. Maybe I could bring Clione, too. She'd find it difficult to adjust at first, but she's tough. And her dancing means that she's surprisingly physically strong. Living a quiet life with just the two of us, growing old together... That wouldn't be so bad.
b) Die, I guess. (?)
c) Live free on the high seas like Wras!
- Pyrifera: I'm sure he'd take me in. Having a healer on hand is useful in dangerous professions. All the same, I'd rather not. The gloating alone would be unbearable.
d) Is something like that really going to happen?
- Pyrifera: Well. It probably won't. But it could.

Pyrifera: Sorry. I know this is all wild speculation. The city probably isn't going to be destroyed. The most likely possibility is that the wave won't be strong enough to do anything than knock us off our feet for a moment.

Pyrifera: I know thinking about all these things is depressing. Especially when I'm planning for the one-in-a-million worst case scenario. Most people don't like it when I talk about these things.

Pyrifera: It's just... Comforting. To know that I have considered it. And on the very odd chance I'll actually need a plan, I'll have one.

a) I do the same thing.
- Pyrifera: Really? It's good to know I'm not alone.
- Pyrifera: ...Still, I shouldn't worry so much that I get distracted. We still have work to do.
b) You're not a pessimist, you're a realist!
- Pyrifera: No, I'm quite certain I'm a pessimist. I know my view of reality is skewed towards the negative.
- Pyrifera: ...Still, I shouldn't worry so much that I get distracted. We still have work to do.
c) It might feel nicer to be more positive. (?)
d) That makes sense.
- Pyrifera: ...Still, I shouldn't worry so much that I get distracted. We still have work to do.

Pyrifera: I've been putting together disaster kits for anyone who might need them. Why don't you try making one of your own? You'll need enough food to last you for a while, a light source and something to keep you warm at night.

Collect any 3 light sources, food items, or warm clothing.

a) I think i have everything.
b) I'll have to go look for some of those.
- Pyrifera: It's good that we're thinking ahead, then. You don't want to be stuck looking for things you need during an evacuation.
  - a) I think i have everything.
  - b) I'll be back.
    - Pyrifera: I have plans for everything. The total destruction of the city, being attacked by two sea beasts at once, having to go on the run from the law... If any of those scenarios happen, I'd be prepared.
    - Pyrifera: Clione almost never worries about anything. I asked her about it once. She told me that even if she made a plan, she'd probably forget it in the confusion of a real crisis. She's better at thinking on her feet than she is at strategizing, anyway.

Pyrifera takes your disaster kit and bundles it up in kelp to make it easier to carry. She has a whole pile of similar bundles stacked up behind her shop's counter.

Pyrifera: There isn't much left to do. Or, well. If I had infinite resources, I could probably keep improving my preparations forever. But I don't. My resources... are the opposite of infinite.

Pyrifera: Now all that there's left to do is wait.

a) That's pretty boring.
- Pyrifera: Sorry to disappoint, but the thrills and excitement aren't as much of a priority to me as... well. Staying alive.
b) We could talk to distract ourselves.
- Pyrifera: I suppose. I don't know how entertaining I'll be. I'm not much of a conversationalist to begin with, and it's worse when I'm distracted.
c) Wait with Pyri.
d) What about everyone else? (?)

Pyri doesn't pace or fidget when she's nervous. Instead, she goes very still and quiet, like a prey animal freezing to hide under a predator's gaze.

The shop is dark with all the windows blocked off, but you can still see part of the street through the cracks. In the distance, you spot a thin, wavering line that grows larger and taller by the second.

Pyrifera: Brace yourself!

A wall of unrelenting force hits the store, shaking the very foundations of the shop. All the jars and boxes of medicine have been strapped to the floor, but the lamp attached to the wall isn't as lucky. It shakes loose, shattering onto the floor.

Just as soon as the store stops shaking, another, smaller wave hits, barely strong enough to make the counter shudder. The door creaks, but Pyri's braced it with a heavy cabinet and layers of net, and it holds.

Pyrifera: That was... stronger than it's ever been. Usually, you barely feel anything.

a) Will the rest of the neighbourhood be okay?
- Pyrifera: I'm not sure. I suppose we'll find out.
b) Are you okay?
- Pyrifera: I... I'm fine. Don't worry too much about me.
c) Good thing we got ourselves ready.
d) That was scary... (?)

Once the aftershocks pass, you and Pyrifera unblock her front door and step outside. Most of the other buildings on the street are still standing. Unlike Pyri's shop, their windows and doors have been shattered.

A wall of fallen coral has blocked off half the street, and the water is almost cloudy with dust. You can see Pyrifera's neighbors stumbling out of their damaged homes. One of them calls Pyri over to help with an injured relative.

Pyrifera: It looks like he fell and injured himself during the wave. It probably isn't more than a scrape, but I ought to go bandage him up.

Pyri rushes off to her neighbors' aid, and you...

a) Follow her. (?)
b) Start distributing disaster kits.
- You offer a blanket to one of the disoriented neighbors sitting on the stoop of their shattered home. They take it and wrap it around themselves, clutching the disaster kit you gave them like a lifeline.
c) Assess the damage to the neighbourhood.
- Though the buildings around you are mostly intact, the wave has destroyed doors, windows and several roofs and walls. Pyrifera's neighbors' personal belongings have been washed out into the street. You can see clothes and bedding floating off into the distance.
d) Ask if anyone needs help.
- You hear an answering call from one of the surrounding buildings. The fallen coral's blocked off the door to one of the houses, leaving its residents trapped inside. You help smash open a side window so they can swim out.

Pyrifera quickly cleans and bandages her neighbor's wound, staying behind for just a moment to see if the family is alright. They're clearly distraught, but Pyri's calm, clinical manner calms their nerves.

Pyrifera: We should head to the marketplace. That was the evacuation point my father's group set up, perhaps some might still remember.

Pyrifera seems like she's about to say more, but she's interrupted by a dark shadow descending over both of you, blotting out the light. Looking up in alarm, you see the underside of a giant ship, and there, on the prow, is...

Pyrifera: Wras. I should have known.

Wras; Hey, gloomyguts! I bet you thought I never listened to your rants about disaster preparation in school, huh? Well, I did tune them out most of the time, but I remembered.

Wras; Just like you, I've been waiting for the big one my whole life. Even when everyone else ignored your warnings, I heard, and I got ready...

Wras: Ready to make a ludicrous amount of profit, I mean! Gyahaha!

Wras: In a situation like this, the most basic supplies are now incredibly valuable! Especially if I keep my prices low, everyone's gonna be clamorin' to do business. Pretty brilliant plan, don't ya think?

Pyrifera: Not really, but I'm sure you don't care what I think.

Wras: Ha! Well, I don't care what you... Huh. You already said that. Well, it's true! I'm not here to soak up the praise and gratitude of the neighborhood, I'm here to make some serious spuds.

With that, Wras swims back to his ship to keep scouting out a place to set up shop. Pyri huffs in exasperation, her hair swishing behind her as she goes to pick up her supplies.

a) Is that his way of trying to help?
- Pyrifera: If you asked him that question, he'd say no. Insistently. On the other hand... there's nothing Wras likes more than an audience. I'm sure he'd enjoy the attention that comes from being the saviour of the neighborhood.
b) I can't believe he actually listened to you...
- Pyrifera: It's surprising, but I suppose Wras has always had an instinct for finding information that could be helpful to him in the future. He isn't stupid.
c) So he's making money off other people's suffering?
- Pyrifera: Wras is Wras. I'd be concerned if he didn't find a way to turn this situation to his advantage. Besides, even though his motives aren't the purest... he's not entirely without honor. He'll sell at a mostly fair price.
d) Let's go to the marketplace. (?)

The marketplace has been almost completely wrecked, cloth canopies and market stalls strewn across the street. A small crowd mills about the plaza. Among them is Judge Xarion, who seems to be setting up a supply station.

Xarion: World-hopper. Pyrifera. I brought aid to the evacuation point, but there doesn't seem to be as many people as I was expecting. What's the situation out there?

a) Nobody remembers the disaster plan.
- Xarion: I gathered that, given that there's barely anyone here.
b) Pyri's trying to help anyone who's injured.
- Xarion: Hmm. Good to know. That's very helpful of you. If I see anyone in need of assistance, I'll send them your way.
c) Most of the buildings are still standing.
- Xarion: That's good. I set up spare beds in the courthouse in case anyone needs a place for the night, but we only have so much space.
d) Um, Wras is here? (?)

Xarion: About a quarter of the city was damaged in the wave, but... I thought I'd help the districts that needed the most first. We've set up food stations, and soon I'll be able to assist with clearing debris.

Xarion: I'm not sure where the rest of the citizens are, but I don't have time to chase down every household when there's a perfectly good central meeting place right here. Hopefully news of the relief effort will spread.

Pyri seems like she's about to say something, but one of Xarion's assistants calls for help with a giant barrel of algae mash, and he rushes over without even saying goodbye.

a) Wow, he just completely talked over you.
- Pyrifera: Apparently he was too busy to listen.
b) What were you trying to say?
c) Xarion, wait!
- Pyrifera: It's fine, world-hopper.
d) I guess help is already here. (?)

Pyrifera: I think I have an idea of how to get everyone to the marketplace. You see, if I know anything about Wras, he's probably doing all that he can to attract people to his shop. There's no way he doesn't have all sorts of flashy, attention-getting gimmicks attached to that ship.

Pyrifera: If we can convince him to set up in the marketplace, then people in need will follow, and then we can direct them to Xarion's resources. The only question is how.

Pyrifera frowns, deep in thought, absently tugging at her hair. In the distance, you hear someone calling her name. Startled, she tugs a little too hard and winces, gingerly removing her hand from her tangled tresses.

Clione: Pyri! You're okay! I mean, I knew you'd be fine, what with all your plans for calamity, but it's still nice to make sure. Anyway. I'm here to help.

Clione: I don't know that much about disasters, other than what you've told me, but my bank account is yours. I'll buy whatever you need me to buy, I can, like, carry things... Um, I'm pretty good at entertaining kids? Just say the word!

Pyrifera: Thank you, Clione. We could use your carriage to transport some of the injured to the marketplace. I can set up a medic station here, and make house calls for anyone who can't move.

Pyrifera: World-hopper, do you think you could try to persuade Wras by yourself?

Go find Wras.

It isn't difficult to find Wras. Pyri was right: he's got all sorts of eye-catching decorations attached to his floating shop. A banner patterned in searing orange and green proclaims "BUY SURVIVAL KITS HERE NOW!" large enough that you can see it from two streets away.

Wras: World-hopper! Guess who's the most popular guy in town right now? That's right. It's me, the one with all the supplies. What do you need? I'm feeling generous right now... though not enough to give you any discounts.

a) Could you set up in the marketplace instead?
- Wras: And... why would I do that?
  - a) Pyri wants you to move your store. (?)
  - b) Because it would help people? (?)
  - c) Because we're friends? (?)
  - d) You'd get more customers.
    - Wras: Hmm... I suppose you have a point.
b) Pyri wants you to move your store. (?)
c) You and Xarion should work together.
- Wras: Cooperate with that snobby, self-righteous, goody-two-fins? Not on your life.
  - a) But what about helping people? (?)
  - b) Pyri wants you to move your store. (?)
  - c) Come on, Wras. For me?
    - Wras: I'm not so weak that I'd let something like that control me. Try again.
      - a) Because it would help people?
        Wras: Sure, but since when was that my job? Enough with the moral arguments, world-hopper. You'll bore me.
      - b) Because it would make Pyri happy?
        Wras: ...And why would that concern me?
      - c) Because we're friends? (?)
      - d) You'd get more customers.
        Wras: Hmm... I suppose you have a point.
  - d) You'd get more customers. (?)
d) Wow, this is pretty cool.
- Wras: Impressed? I thought you'd be. But you didn't come here just to gawk at how well I'm doing, did you? Come on. Out with it.
  - a) Could you set up in the marketplace instead?
    - Wras: And... why would I do that?
      - a) Because it would help people?
        Wras: Sure, but since when was that my job? Enough with the moral arguments, world-hopper. You'll bore me.
      - b) Because it would make Pyri happy?
        Wras: ...And why would that concern me?
      - c) Because we're friends? (?)
      - d) You'd get more customers.
        Wras: Hmm... I suppose you have a point.
  - b) Pyri wants you to move your store. (?)
  - c) You and Xarion should work together. (?)

Wras: I'd say I'm earning enough right here and now, but who am I kidding? More is always better! Gyahaha! Here, take over sales while I rally my crew to get this stall moved.

With a dastardly flourish and a cloud of kicked up sand, Wras dramatically turns tail towards a nearby lagoon. You try your best to familiarize yourself with the stall's offerings before customers show up.

Over the course of a half hour, a few bedraggled looking urchins and a family of fish arrive to buy various sundries and supplies. Their total amounts to 2000 potatoes, they root around in their belongings worriedly for the spuds. You decide to...

a) Charge them full price.
- You reluctantly charge them potatoes for the goods and watch as they make their way onwards. You're startled out of your contemplation when a hand claps you on the shoulder.
b) Charge them half price and make up the difference with 1,000 potatoes.
- The fish seem relieved at the discount and manage to scrounge up the potatoes for you before moving on. You're startled out of your contemplation when a hand claps you on the shoulder.
c) Give them the supplies free of charge and pay the 2,000 yourself.
- The fish thank you gratefully as they pack away the supplies. You're startled out of your contemplation when a hand claps you on the shoulder.

Wras: I see you've been busy!

Are you ready to move now?

Wras: You betcha, moving to the marketplace was a pretty sound idea from the start. Seems like there are a whole lot of potential customers out there.

Wras's ship is high enough in the sky that you can even see the marketplace. It looks like Xarion's organized a road-clearing crew, allowing Clione to bring even more supplies in her carriage.

Wras sets a course to the marketplace, the manta ray tugging his ship responding fluidly to his commands. Almost everyone you sail over looks up to watch it go by, many following in your wake. When you arrive at the marketplace, however, not everyone is happy to see you.

Xarion: Wras. What are you doing here?

Wras: The world-hopper's the one who begged me to show up. I wouldn't have come if I knew it'd mean breathing the same water as you. Besides, your handouts'll dig into my profit margin.

Xarion: Ah, yes. I wouldn't want to prevent you from making a profit off of... Is that the algae shipment that went missing two months ago?

Wras: Even if it was, you'd never, ever prove it.

The two of them ignore their respective efforts entirely as they face off against each other, Xarion snarling in rage and Wras smirking in disdain. Off to the side, you see Pyrifera curl her hands into fists, shoulders squaring.

a) Calm down, both of you!
b) Xarion, come on.
c) Wras, maybe you should go. (?)
d) Pyri, you okay?

You take a step forward, but Clione places a hand on your shoulder, keeping you back.

Clione: Don't worry. She's got this.

Pyrifera storms in between Wras and Xarion, darting forward so quickly that her hair flutters behind her like a banner in the wind, and physically pushes them apart.

Pyrifera: Enough!

Pyrifera: Both of you are acting like children. If you want to indulge in petty conflict, you can do it when there isn't a crisis. People need our help now. That's what matters.

Pyrifera: Xarion, stop trying to punish Wras for a crime that may or may not have happened months ago. People need these supplies. It doesn't matter where they come from right now. You can sort that out afterwards.

Pyrifera: Wras... for once in your life, even if you're allergic to acknowledging that you have the ability to care about anyone outside yourself, at least try to think about the long term. If you keep abandoning Vaer Reef in difficult times, soon you won't have any customers at all.

Pyrifera: Now. We are going to put aside our differences, and we are going to work together. Understood?

Xarion: You're right. I allowed myself to be distracted from the task at hand.

Wras: Just like school projects... Fine. As long as I don't have to talk to him.

Some of the tension drains from Pyrifera's spine as Wras and Xarion accept her instructions. She sighs, shaking her hair back in front of her face, and settles back into her usual unassuming demeanor.

a) Pyri, that was awesome!
- Pyrifera: Ah... Thanks? I have to admit that speaking my mind was immensely satisfying.
b) You were pretty harsh on them... (?)
c) I can't believe they listened to you.
- Pyrifera: Wras and Judge Xarion are stubborn, but they aren't stupid. I think they could see that I had a point.
d) Anything i can do to help?

Under Pyrifera's direction, the relief effort works like a well-oiled machine. Wras sells his goods, Xarion distributes a truly astonishing amount of free food and Clione helps ferry supplies from one end of the neighborhood to the other.

Though the people who flood Wras's store seem shaken, you see within them an iron resolve to rebuild. Some of them are already talking about ways to make their houses stronger in preparation for the next wave.

Bolstered by her earlier success, Pyrifera takes charge - not with speeches or blustering, but with the quiet comments and suggestions she gives to anyone who wants to help. Soon enough, there are tents set up for anyone who needs shelter for the night.

Pyrifera's already started planning to repair all the houses damaged in the wave. Clione's offered to hold a charity concert, and Xarion's applied to the city council for public funds. Even Wras donates some of his profits from the day, after a significant glare from Pyri.

As the neighborhood winds down for the night, you catch Pyri patching up her last patient. The two of you swim up to the still-intact rooftop of one of the market shops to look down at the bustling crowd below.

Pyrifera: All my life, I've been terrified of a disaster like this. When it finally happened, I feared the worst, but... today didn't turn out so bad.

a) That's because of you.
- Pyrifera: Ah... I don't want to take sole credit. I'm just glad. That I could be effective, I mean.
b) I think it's bad enough. (?)
c) Maybe you were overreacting. (?)
d) Everyone came together.
- Pyrifera: I don't know if we'll ever see either Wras or Judge Xarion this willing to work with each other ever again.

Pyrifera: When I was worrying about this wave, I was afraid that the damage to the city would be too great... but also, more than anything, I was worried that I'd freeze up in the face of danger. That a crisis would break me.

Pyrifera: I know I usually have the most pessimistic view of any situation, but. I think I might be... proud of myself. It's a strange feeling. I'm not very used to it.

Pyrifera: The wave came, and it was like I knew exactly what to do. I'd planned for this for so long that I was almost calm when it actually happened. All this time, when I was worrying about calamity, I never realized that I had the power to make things better myself.

Dangling her legs over the rooftop, Pyrifera brushes her hair back from her face and shoots you a smile. You've seen her worried, gloomy, quietly pleased, but you've never before seen her looking so free.

Pyrifera: I'm stronger than I thought I was. And, world-hopper, I think you are, too. If you're ever in trouble, or if you're scared of something that might happen, just remember. Your greatest resource is yourself.

Pyrifera: No matter what happens. Even if you're scared, even if you falter. When you don't feel safe, when nothing feels secure... know that you can change things, even if it's just a little bit. Trust yourself.

Complete quest.

Here will be the condensed version of the quest

Quest Rewards
Stat Rewards	5,000 Potatoes	+5 Affection with Pyrifera
Item Rewards	Pyrifera's Apothecary	Pyrifera's Blue Kelp Skirt
Item Rewards	Pyrifera's Totem	Pyrifera's Portable Pearl Jar

Poe: The Haunted Temple

Quest Information
Speak With	Poe
Prerequisites	Main Quest: Poe's Conclusion
Description	"Poe is sent on a test of courage, and wants you to help!"

Full Transcript

Poe has a curious way of finding you no matter where you are in the city. She seems to enjoy surprising you. Whenever someone sneaks up behind you to tap you on the shoulder, the sound of childish giggling tells you exactly who it is.

a) Lash out instinctively.
- Your arms flail, windmilling in a panicked move that has Poe scrambling out of your way.
- Poe: Whoa! Careful!
b) Poe, I know it’s you.
- Poe: No, you don't!
- It takes a moment for Poe to register her own words, and she sheepishly slinks into sight.
- Poe: Well, I guess you do now...
c) Try to scare her back.
- You make a big show of looking behind you, ignoring Poe's giggling, until, emboldened, she darts forward to tap your shoulder again. This time you're prepared. You catch her wrist, pulling her forward as she shrieks in surprise.
- Poe: Oh no! You got me!
d) Wait patiently for Poe to appear.
- Poe taps your shoulder again a few times, but your lack of reaction takes the fun out of her game. She has no choice but to approach you like a normal person, waving to try and get your attention.

Poe: Hi, world-hopper! Are you scared of ghosts?

a) I am.
- Poe: Yeah, me too. Don't tell anyone, okay?
b) Of course not.
- Poe: Oh. W-well, me neither! So that makes two of us who aren't scared of being haunted for the rest of our lives no matter how far we run.
c) I don’t know.
- Poe: Oh. Well... Do you wanna find out?
d) Ghosts aren’t real.
- Poe: You sound like Daddy. Ghosts aren't real, monsters aren't real, homework-eating sharks aren't real...

Poe: See, Brinee from my class says the old temple next to the shoe store has ghosts. He kept talking about them, and I said it was creepy, and next thing you know he's calling me a little scaredy-shrimp! And I kind of panicked, because if the other kids start calling me Shrimpy pretty soon my cousins'll start saying it, and then the teachers, and then it'll be Shrimpy on my tombstone 'cause I won't have any other name no more! So I said I was gonna sneak into the temple after dinnertime to prove I'm not a shrimp, and now I actually have to do it, and... I don't wanna go by myself. Will you come with me?

a) Not today.
- Poe: Oh. Will you come with me soon, then? They'll put shrimp in my locker tomorrow, I just know it!
  - I'll go with you now, actually.
  - I'll be back later. (pause quest)
    - Poe: Please go to the temple with me? It's important! I'm not in preschool anymore. I have a reputation now! They say the old temple was shut down for mysterious reasons... Or at least that's what the other kids say. Mommy says an earthquake made it "struct-ter-ally unsound."
      - I'll go to the temple with you now.
        Poe: Yes! Thank you, thank you, thank you! They can't know you'll be in there with me, so I'll sneak you in first and you can wait until I come get you.
b) That sounds scary.
- Poe: That's why I need you to come with me! There's no way I'm gonna survive there all by myself!
  - Not today.
  - Sure, I'll go with you.
    - Poe: Yes! Thank you, thank you, thank you! They can't know you'll be in there with me, so I'll sneak you in first and you can wait until I come get you.
c) Sure, I’ll go with you.
- Poe: Yes! Thank you, thank you, thank you! They can't know you'll be in there with me, so I'll sneak you in first and you can wait until I come get you.

Poe has you swim over the locked temple gate and into its gardens. They must have been beautiful once, but now the mosaics on the path are overgrown with weeds, and the statues are weathered and covered in clinging barnacles. You can hear Poe talking to her jeering classmates outside, her voice high and shrill.

Poe: See? I'm not scared one single bit!

a) Make ghost noises.
- You chime in with a ghastly wail, trying to make yourself sound as eerie as possible. The voices outside suddenly get very, very quiet. After a shocked, silent, moment, one child asks if sending Poe into the temple is really the best idea.
- Poe: Who's the fraidyfish now? No takebacks! I'm going in!
b) Play a prank with the statues.
- After a quick look around, you spy the broken-off head of a priest statue on the ground next to its body. The barnacles spreading across its face and chunks missing from the skull make it perfect for your plans. You swim up to the garden gate as quietly as you can and balance the head on top. You draw Poe's classmates' attention by throwing a pebble, and when they see what looks like a severed head glinting in the moonlight, they scream.
- Poe: Are you really scared of a little thing like that? I'm not! Watch me swim into the temple!
c) Wait quietly.
- You listen to Poe bluster with her classmates, sitting quietly in front of a statue of a priestess with silvery metal eyes that glint in the moonlight. Something about the way she's carved makes it look like she's watching you.
- Poe: No takebacks! Everyone look, I'm going in!

There's a thump as Poe heaves her schoolbag over the wall, then scrambles over it herself, fins flapping.

Poe: Sorry it took so long! They're so annoying, and... Whoa...

Poe's come face to unblinking face with a very disquieting sculpture of a shark warrior, her mouth open in a savage grin. One hand extends in front of her, curled as if she's trying to grab an unsuspecting victim. Poe takes a step back and takes in the carved monsters filling the garden for the first time. They're grotesque, faces contorted in rage or unnerving, placid smiles, with far more spikes and teeth than you're used to seeing in Vaer Reef.

Poe: Um, maybe we could go inside?

a) What, are you scared?
- Poe: No! Not really. Maybe?
b) No way. Why would we?
- Poe: Well... There's a story...
c) What if whatever’s inside is scarier?
- Poe: I don't know how a-anything could be worse than that one. Why would anyone carve a little baby with giant fangs, and then put it in a temple? Is it smiling at me? I don't want to know.
d) Sure, if you want.
- Poe: Oh, thank you! Good! I was worried you wouldn't want to.

Poe: I don't like these statues. You know how their eyes follow you around if you move? That's on purpose! We learned about it in art class. Apprentices had to carve eyes for ten years before they got the effect right. Why did the artists have to make everyone look so mean? Why couldn't they just make nice sculptures of cute things, and not fighty sculptures of scary monsters? And that's not the worst part. See, the other kids say the statues are the ones making all the weird noises. They come alive at night, and if you're in the sacred garden they'll come after you, and then they turn you into one of them! Half of these statues... used to be people!

a) That’s a little unbelievable.
- Poe: It's true! Everyone says so! I heard this from like, five different groups of kids on the playground!
b) Wow, really?
- Poe: I heard it from at least five different groups of kids at school. Even Cousin Tes says it's true, and she goes to another school.
c) Yikes.
- Poe: I heard it from at least five different groups of kids at school. Even Cousin Tes says it's true, and she goes to another school.

The temple is a squat building with a gently curving roof, bars twisted into wavy patterns blocking each of the windows. A heavy security door, rope-operated and long fallen into disrepair, blocks the entrance.

a) Pull the rope.
- You pull as hard as you can, and the door rises, the ancient machinery groaning from disuse. Unfortunately, the moment you let go of the rope it comes crashing down again.
b) Have Poe pull the rope.
- Poe tries, but despite her effort and desperately kicking legs, the door doesn't move. She refuses to give up, pulling until her arms tremble with effort, but you can tell that it's not going to work.
c) Kick the door down.
- You get a running start and leap at the door, foot lashing out with incredible force... and pain jolts down your entire leg when your kick connects. The door doesn't move.

There has to be another solution. You peer around the shadowy depths of the garden, searching for something you can use, and one thing catches your attention...

a) Poe.
- Poe: Me? Um, I guess I could try to come up with a plan. Like, if we ask Mommy, she's strong... No, I'd get in so much trouble! Maybe my cousins? But they live halfway across the neighborhood...
- You leave Poe to her planning and examine the garden further, focusing on... (repeats branch)
b) Poe’s schoolbag.
- You search Poe's bag of supplies, looking for something useful, and find nothing but candy, a jar of sweet algae, and a box of krill bites. It seems like her priorities for the night were a little skewed. She's packed nothing but snacks. Leaving Poe's bag, you move towards... (repeats branch)
c) The gate.
- You tug Poe towards the gate you swam over to get in and away from the abandoned, allegedly haunted temple. She resists with all her might, complaining at maximum volume.
- Poe: No! Brinee can see the temple from his house. If he looks out the window and catches us swimming away, I'm done for! There has to be a way in.
- Dutifully, you try again, this time going to… (repeats branch)
d) The statues.
- Poe: Right! If we use a statue to block the door from falling, we can just swim under!

You and Poe look through the garden until you find a stone goldfish just large enough to wedge under the door. You start pushing it over, working until you're flushed with effort, muscles trembling from the strain.

Poe: Are you taking a break? That's okay! You'll get it eventually. You just have to keep working!

You sag down onto the floor, exhausted. If you weren't underwater, you're certain you'd feel sweat pouring off you in streams. Clearly, you'll need to be tenacious to move that statue all the way to the door.

Gain 6 tenacity and come back to try again.

I’ll be back.

Poe's trying to push the stone goldfish herself, grunting with effort as she leans her entire weight against it. The goldfish barely shifts.

a) I’m going to try moving that statue again. (Increased 6/6 Times)
b) I’ll be back.

You face your task with renewed determination. No matter how hard it gets, you won't give up until you're done. Pushing even after your muscles ache in protest, you get the statue to the door. You pull the rope to raise the door, and struggle to keep it raised as Poe slowly inches the statue in place. Once she gives you the signal, you let go, sighing in relief. The two of you swim under the door into the temple, ready to face what lurks within. Light from the street lanterns outside gives the temple a bluish glow, making the white chamber shine. The walls are a strange texture, studded with rows and rows of... is that stone? Looking closer, you discover that the walls aren't covered in pebbles at all. They're covered in teeth.

Poe: We learned about this in history class. Used to be if you had baby teeth and they fell out, you'd give them to the temple to prove you were growing up. It's supposed to be a good tradition. N-not scary at all...

a) That’s actually kind of cute.
- Poe: Yeah. Sure! This is f-fine.
- Poe: Okay, no, I really hate it here! I keep thinking I'm gonna cut myself on one of those big shark teeth and then the walls are going to close in and grind us into paste! Can we please, please, please go upstairs?
b) This room is okay.
c) I really don’t like this room.
d) Why are all these traditions so creepy?
- Poe: Oh, good, I thought it was just me being frightened! Let's go upstairs. Maybe there'll be offices? Offices are okay.

A single flight of stairs leads to the second floor, but the trapdoor upwards is locked. Someone's chiseled a message into the corner: "Do NOT knock to wake the rest of us up if you're locked out. Use the spare key."

Poe: It's a clue!

a) A clue?
- Poe: To the mystery we gotta solve to get up there. It's a challenge, to see if we're smart enough to figure out how to beat the puzzle. Maybe the priests hid treasure up there. Hidden, secret treasure from the ancient times!
  - How old is this temple anyway?
    - Poe: It shut down forever ago. Like... thirty whole years!
      - Let's go look for the key.
  - Looks like a normal note to me.
  - Let's go look for the key.
b) It’s locked. Let’s just leave.
c) Looks like a normal note to me.
- Poe: Okay, fine, but it's a normal note that says there's a key to the trapdoor. If we find it, we can get upstairs! Maybe there'll be a nice, boring office up there.
d) Let’s go look for the key.

You examine the rest of the room. Its walls somehow seem even sharper than before, and you can still see the statue garden through the windows. One statue is grinning right against the bars, making Poe edge backwards in fright.

Poe: I don't like it here. Are these all people teeth? What if they all came from skeletons who swim the Reefs forever looking for their lost teeth, but they can't find them because the teeth are here?

a) People are all just skeletons under everything.
- Poe: D-don't remind me!
b) That’s really unlikely.
- Poe: Well, what if?
c) Oh, I really hope not!
d) Let’s just look for the key.

The room is mostly empty except for a small vase and an empty altar on opposite sides of the room. To find a key, you should probably...

a) Smash the vase.
- Poe: No! What if you unleash an angry ghost?
  - The ghost... of a vase?
    - Poe: You never know! (repeats)
  - Okay, I'll check inside instead.
  - I guess I'll check the walls first.
  - No way. This vase is history.
    - You destroy the vase with a satisfying crash of broken pottery, leaving only shattered shards on the floor... along with a single small key.
b) Reach inside the vase.
- You slide your hand into the vase, feeling around until your fingertips brush against a small iron object that might be a key. You try to pull it back out, but your wrist is trapped at the vase's thin neck. No matter how much you twist your hand, it won't budge. You're stuck with a vase on your arm.
  - a) Smash the vase.
    - Poe: No! You could hurt your hand! Let me help.
  - b) I guess I’ll live like this now.
    - Poe: No! We can fix this!
c) Search for a secret wall compartment.
- The teeth on the wall are arranged by size and color. Some are as small as Poe's fingernail, and others as big as your hand. You search closely, moving along the walls, until you spot a curving yellow incisor just a little too big for its row.
- Poe: A mystery compartment! What's inside?
- The tooth is shaped almost like a handle. You pull on it, and reveal a secret drawer that blends almost perfectly into the wall. Poe stands on her tiptoes to look, her face alight with curiosity.
- Poe: Oh... Great... More teeth...
- (repeats)
d) Look under the altar.
- You inspect the altar from every angle you can think of, tracing the carved dolphins on its sides, but find nothing. (repeats)

Poe helps you tap the vase gently against the door until a spiderweb of cracks forms, then breaks the pieces off bit by bit until you can slide your hand free. When the last piece falls, you notice an iron key attached to it as well.

The two of you rush upstairs with the key and unlock the second floor. It's too dark for you to see anything up there beyond blurry shapes and shadows, but Poe doesn't seem to be deterred.

Poe: I think I found some treasure! Over here!

She rushes inside and you follow more cautiously, the two of you crouching down in front of an old, worn chest.

Poe: Should we open it?

a) Let’s see what’s inside.
- The two of you heave at the chest, but the moment you feel it begin to open, the trapdoor slams shut, plunging both you and Poe into absolute darkness.
  - a) Panic.
  - b) Don’t panic.
  - c) Try to scare Poe.
    - You wait a couple seconds in the quiet, then suddenly let out a blood-curling scream.
    - Poe: W-world-hopper?
      - a) Augh! It's got me!
      - b) Poe! Run! Save yourself!
      - c) It's eating me. I'm being eaten!
      - d) No! I'm turning into a skeleton!
        Poe: Hold on! I'm coming to save you!
        
        You feel the entire weight of a small girl being launched at your body, and then tiny fists start beating at you. It takes a moment for Poe to realize that she's only flailing at you and not an actual monster.
        
        Poe: That's not funny! I thought you were really getting attacked!
b) Better to leave it alone.
- The two of you walk away from the chest, moving towards the rest of the room, but before you can see anything else, the trapdoor slams shut, plunging both you and Poe into absolute darkness.
  - a) Panic.
  - b) Don’t panic.
  - c) Try to scare Poe.

Poe: Oh no, oh no, oh no no no no no...

You take a deep breath and assess your situation. The door's closed, but you didn't see or hear anyone inside the room apart from yourself and Poe. You're not in any immediate danger. You can hear Poe's quick, panicked breathing, though you're not sure where she is. Your top priority now is finding a way out. If you can calm Poe down, both of you can start coming up with ideas.

a) Poe! Are you there?
- Poe: Yeah! I'm right here! Hold on to me, okay?
b) Poe, breathe with me.
- You start counting out breaths in a slow, soothing voice, projecting as much calm command as possible, and Poe follows your lead until she stops hyperventilating.
- Poe: S-sorry. It's just... so dark in here.
c) Try to grab on to her.
d) Try to scare Poe.

By mutual agreement, the two of you look for the trapdoor again. You feel your way across the room until you find its seam, but you can't seem to pull it open again.

Poe: We're going to die here. I just know it. And then we'll have to haunt this place forever, just like Ghostly Jay.

a) Don’t be dramatic.
- Poe: I'm not being dramatic!
b) Who’s Ghostly Jay?
c) I’m sure we’ll be fine.
- Poe: No, we won't! This is just how the scary stories go!

Poe: Ghostly Jay was a real kid who was in Minnow Class, just like me. My cousins went to school with him. One the last day of school, he fell asleep and when he woke up, summer vacation started and everyone was gone. He waited and waited, but nobody ever came to get him out, and he turned into a ghost! Right there, in the school! And they never found his body, either! Now his ghost haunts Ms. P's classroom, and he can never leave. Nobody's gonna come find us, either. My parents don't even know where I am! We're gonna be trapped in this creepy temple forever and ever!

a) I’ll keep you safe.
- Poe: Thanks.
b) That story sounds incredibly fake.
- Poe: It's true, though! Ghostly Jay is real!
c) Don’t your friends know where we are?
- Poe: They're not my friends. They hate me. I mean, I guess they might not hate me, but we're not... they don't like me, either.
d) We’ll find a way out together.
- Poe: I guess we can try.

The two of you settle into silence, until all you can hear is the sound of each other's breathing. Poe's the first one to break the quiet, an uncertain tremor in her voice.

Poe: World-hopper?

a) Yeah?
b) What is it?
c) What do you want now?
d) Keep silent.

Poe: Are you scared?

a) Yes.
- Poe: Me too.
b) No.
- Poe: Oh. W-well, me either! Not even a bit! That... was a lie. I'm so scared I almost threw up. I can't stop thinking about how it's so dark we wouldn't even know if monsters came for us.

Poe: I'm sorry I dragged you into this. I'm just... I'm sick of being such a baby all the time! I always shrimp out on everything, and I hate it. Like, one time all the cousins went on that cave trip but I was too scared to go into the dark so I just went home, and that other time I signed up for a squid-riding class, but the squids were too big and mean-looking so I quit. I thought if I came here I could prove I'm just as brave and grown-up as anyone else, but I guess I am just a little scaredyshrimp after all.

a) I think you’re plenty brave. Brave enough to know your own limits and say no.
- Poe: Thanks. I'm... I'm happy you still believe in me, even after everything.
b) I’m afraid of everything, too.
- Poe: Really? But you always seem so... I don't know. I guess it's hard to see what other people are feeling.
c) It’s okay to be afraid.
- Poe: I guess I can't control it. Actually, trying not to be scared just makes it worse, 'cause I just get mad at myself and still scared.
d) Oh, grow up already.

Poe: Hey, if we have to be trapped in a creepy old temple, at least we're not all alone, right? There's you, me, your cute pets... Oh! I just had an idea! Your pets! Don't you have a pet that can light up? Think you can call 'em over? I bet if we could see we'd find our way out in no time!

Poe wants you to summon a pet that glows in the dark. Set them as your active pet to bring them to your side.

Hold on.

Poe: In Sparky Saves the Sardines, Sparky's owner has a special whistle they can hear no matter where they are in the ocean. You wouldn't happen to have one of those, would you?

a) My pet’s here to help!
b) Hold on.

Guided by your pet's faint but unfaltering glow, you and Poe find a different door, a key hanging on a hook to its left. As you get closer, you start hearing muffled laughter from the other side.

a) Open the door.
b) Take a moment to collect yourself.
- Poe: I'm ready when you are.

Any hopes of making a stealthy entrance are destroyed by the loud creak of the door swinging open to reveal...

Wras: World-hopper?

a) Begone, ghost!
- Wras pretends to be struck by your words, placing a hand over his heart.
- Wras: Never! I'm haunting you 'till the day I die! A second time, obviously, if I'm supposed to be a ghost here. What are you doing here, world-hopper?
b) Poe, hide! It’s a criminal!
c) What are you doing here?
- Wras: Legitimate business operations. What else? Didn't think I'd find you here at my, ah... Office. What brings you to these parts?
d) Wras! Good to see you!
- Wras: Always is! Can't say we're not both surprised, though, can we? What are you doing here?

Poe: We're here 'cause the temple's haunted!

Poe's outbursts is just a little too loud. Several of Wras's crew members, stacking unlabeled merchandise and counting sea spuds into stacks in the corner, look up. Poe wilts under the attention.

Poe: I mean... Brinee says he saw ghosts in the windows here, and I got dared to come in at night, and then we got scared by everything downstairs, and we found the secret key to the trapdoor and... Now we're here. Um.

Wras: Huh. If the neighbors are starting to notice, it's about time for us to move on. Thanks for the info, kid.

a) Why would you set up in an old temple, anyway?
- Wras: Abandoned building, lots of storage, stories that keep people away? It was the perfect hideout, while it lasted.
b) Don’t talk to him, he’s a bad influence.
- Wras: Relax, I'm not gonna try to recruit the kid. We're a pirate crew, not babysitters.
c) Poe got scared, I didn’t.
- Wras: Heh. Someone sounds a little defensive there.
d) So the ghosts were just your crew all along?
- Wras: Maybe. Or maybe there're still a few ghouls wandering around the building. You never know!

Wras calls out to his crew, gesturing at the crates of loot and sacks of sea spuds scattered around the room.

Wras: Time to pack it up! When the sun comes up, I want this place to look like we were never here. As for you, kid, I need you to keep very, very quiet about everything you saw here. If anyone ever asks you about it, I want you to lie. Especially if it's your parents. Can you do that for me? Hey, I'll even throw you a reward for keeping your mouth shut, how about it? You can have... uh... This knife! Gyahaha!

a) You can’t give a kid a knife!
- Wras: What! I got my first knife when I was way younger than she is. Kids love knives. Right, kid?
- Poe: Um...

b) You can’t tell a kid to lie!
- Wras: What! I used to lie all the time when I was a kid. Got pretty good at it, too. Kids love lies, right, kid?
- Poe: Um...
c) Hey, where’s my bribe?
- Wras: Hang on, I’m getting to it.

d) Pretty cool gift.
- Wras: It's great, isn't it? Kids love knives. Right, kid?
- Poe: Um...

Wras crouches and down and gives Poe the knife, handle out. She accepts it solemnly, staring at the very sharp edge.

Wras: As for you, world-hopper, grab some spuds for your hush money, okay? Now, get outta here before my crew decides you're better as shark bait.

Wras smiles slowly, showing off his very sharp teeth. Poe's eyes go very wide, and she squeaks and runs for the door without delay. You follow more slowly, grabbing a sack of sea spuds before you go. Poe doesn't stop running until she bursts out into the street, still clutching her new knife to her chest, and turns around to give the temple one last lingering glance.

Poe: That... was... AWESOME! We found a pirate den! The boss pirate gave me a knife! And I stayed in there the whole time and didn't run away and only cried a little!

a) I cried a little, too.
b) I cried a lot.
c) I’m proud of you.
d) Is that supposed to be an accomplishment?

Poe: I didn't give up this time! I went inside the temple instead of running away, and I stayed there, and we got all the way through the whole thing! Every time I got scared, all I had to do was remind myself you were there too, and then it wasn't so bad anymore.

a) Glad I could help.
- Poe: You really did! You always help.
b) You would’ve been fine on your own.
- Poe: Maybe, but I'm glad I didn't have to be.
c) You helped me feel less scared, too.
- Poe: Really? Wow! I guess it works both ways.
d) Let’s never do this again.
- Poe: Oh... Yeah, I'm gonna stay away from abandoned temples from now on. Promise!

Poe: I feel a lot stronger now. Like I could do anything... as long as I was with a friend. Thanks for today, world-hopper! I'm gonna sneak back home before my parents realize I'm not in my bedroom, but I'll see you for our next adventure!

Poe swims boldly off into the streets of Vaer Reef. You watch her tiny figure disappear into the dark of the night, swift and sure and just a little braver than she was before.

Rewards: Poe's Coral Candy, 2000 Potatoes, +5 Affection with Poe

Poe sneaks up behind you.

a) Lash out instinctively.
b) Poe, I know it’s you.
c) Try to scare her back.
d) Wait patiently for Poe to appear.

Poe: Hi, world-hopper! Are you scared of ghosts?

a) I am.
b) Of course not.
c) I don’t know.
d) Ghosts aren’t real.

Poe explains that a classmate named Brinee told her about an old temple that has ghosts in it. When Poe called it creepy, her classmates started calling her Shrimpy, and she doesn't want that nickname to catch on.

Poe: So I said I was gonna sneak into the temple after dinnertime to prove I'm not a shrimp, and now I actually have to do it, and... I don't wanna go by myself. Will you come with me?

a) Not today.
b) That sounds scary.
c) Sure, I’ll go with you.

Poe thanks you for joining her and says you'll have to sneak into the temple first so that her classmates won't know you're in there. Inside the temple gardens, you can hear Poe's classmates jeering at her outside.

Poe: See? I'm not scared one single bit!

a) Make ghost noises.
b) Play a prank with the statues.
c) Wait quietly.

Poe enters the temple gardens by climbing over the wall. When she lands, she comes face-to-face with an unnerving shark statue.

Poe: Um, maybe we could go inside?

a) What, are you scared?
b) No way. Why would we?
c) What if whatever’s inside is scarier?
d) Sure, if you want.

Poe recites some lore regarding the statues and the way their eyes follow you in the room no matter where you are.

Poe: See, the other kids say the statues are the ones making all the weird noises. They come alive at night, and if you're in the sacred garden they'll come after you, and then they turn you into one of them! Half of these statues... used to be people!

a) That’s a little unbelievable.
b) Wow, really?
c) Yikes.

A heavy security door, rope-operated and long fallen into disrepair, blocks the entrance to the temple.

a) Pull the rope.
b) Have Poe pull the rope.
c) Kick the door down.

As you search for something you can use to open the door, one thing catches your attention...

a) Poe.
b) Poe’s schoolbag.
c) The gate.
d) The statues.

You find a small statue to use to hold the door open. It's heavy and very difficult to move across the gardens.

Gain 6 tenacity and come back to try again.

a) I’m going to try moving that statue again. (Increased 6/6 Times)
b) I’ll be back.

Once you and Poe finally get the door open, you enter the temple. In the dim light, you can see that the walls are studded with teeth.

Poe: We learned about this in history class. Used to be if you had baby teeth and they fell out, you'd give them to the temple to prove you were growing up. It's supposed to be a good tradition. N-not scary at all...

a) That’s actually kind of cute.
b) This room is okay.
c) I really don’t like this room.
d) Why are all these traditions so creepy?

The two of you head to the upper floors, but the trapdoor is locked. Someone's chiseled a message into the corner: "Do NOT knock to wake the rest of us up if you're locked out. Use the spare key."

Poe: It's a clue!

a) A clue?
b) It’s locked. Let’s just leave.
c) Looks like a normal note to me.
d) Let’s go look for the key.

You examine the rest of the room for a solution or a key.

Poe: I don't like it here. Are these all people teeth? What if they all came from skeletons who swim the Reefs forever looking for their lost teeth, but they can't find them because the teeth are here?

a) People are all just skeletons under everything.
b) That’s really unlikely.
c) Oh, I really hope not!
d) Let’s just look for the key.

A vase catches your attention.

a) Smash the vase.
b) Reach inside the vase.
c) Search for a secret wall compartment.
d) Look under the altar.

Poe helps you remove the stuck vase from your hand, and the two of you use the key to open the trapdoor. It's still dark in this upstairs area, but Poe discovers a heavy trunk.

Poe: Should we open it?

a) Let’s see what’s inside.
b) Better to leave it alone.

The trapdoor suddenly slams shut behind you, and Poe gets frightened as the room plunges into darkness.

a) Poe! Are you there?
b) Poe, breathe with me.
c) Try to grab on to her.
d) Try to scare Poe.

Poe: We're going to die here. I just know it. And then we'll have to haunt this place forever, just like Ghostly Jay.

a) Don’t be dramatic.
b) Who’s Ghostly Jay?
c) I’m sure we’ll be fine.

Poe explains that Ghostly Jay is the legend of a kid in Minnow Class who haunts the school.

a) I’ll keep you safe.
b) That story sounds incredibly fake.
c) Don’t your friends know where we are?
d) We’ll find a way out together.

Poe: World-hopper?

a) Yeah?
b) What is it?
c) What do you want now?
d) Keep silent.

Poe: Are you scared?

a) Yes.
b) No.

Poe apologizes for dragging you into these shenanigans. She goes on to explain that she only did it because she's sick of being scared and backing out of things before she can try them.

Poe: I thought if I came here I could prove I'm just as brave and grown-up as anyone else, but I guess I am just a little scaredyshrimp after all.

a) I think you’re plenty brave. Brave enough to know your own limits and say no.
b) I’m afraid of everything, too.
c) It’s okay to be afraid.
d) Oh, grow up already.

Poe suddenly has an idea.

Poe: Oh! I just had an idea! Your pets! Don't you have a pet that can light up? Think you can call 'em over? I bet if we could see we'd find our way out in no time!

Poe wants you to summon a pet that glows in the dark. Set them as your active pet to bring them to your side.

List of Luminous Pets
Anemone Sprite	Autumn Bunnylope	Cabbager	Candle Jester
Dreamvale Blossom	Effervescent Snail	Gloomy Marine Imp	Glowshroom Rabbit
Lantern Mouse	Lantern Pixie	Lightbulb Deer	Luminous Gremlin
Opaline Faeling	Peddler Raccoon	Ruin Lion	Spirit of Kindness
Stone Guinea		Sun Scribe

a) My pet’s here to help!
b) Hold on.

Guided by your pet, you and Poe find a different door. As you get closer, you start hearing muffled laughter from the other side.

a) Open the door.
b) Take a moment to collect yourself.

Any hopes of making a stealthy entrance are destroyed by the loud creak of the door swinging open to reveal...

Wras: World-hopper?

a) Begone, ghost!
b) Poe, hide! It’s a criminal!
c) What are you doing here?
d) Wras! Good to see you!

Poe exclaims that the two of you are here because the temple is haunted. Wras looks thoughtful.

Wras: Huh. If the neighbors are starting to notice, it's about time for us to move on. Thanks for the info, kid.

a) Why would you set up in an old temple, anyway?
b) Don’t talk to him, he’s a bad influence.
c) Poe got scared, I didn’t.
d) So the ghosts were just your crew all along?

Wras orders his crew to pack it up and move out, then addresses the two of you again.

Wras: If anyone ever asks you about it, I want you to lie. Especially if it's your parents. Can you do that for me? Hey, I'll even throw you a reward for keeping your mouth shut, how about it? You can have... uh... This knife! Gyahaha!

a) You can’t give a kid a knife!
b) You can’t tell a kid to lie!
c) Hey, where’s my bribe?
d) Pretty cool gift.

Wras gives you some potatoes for your hush money, then smiles threateningly. You and Poe hastily exit the temple.

Poe: That... was... AWESOME! We found a pirate den! The boss pirate gave me a knife! And I stayed in there the whole time and didn't run away and only cried a little!

a) I cried a little, too.
b) I cried a lot.
c) I’m proud of you.
d) Is that supposed to be an accomplishment?

Poe: I didn't give up this time! I went inside the temple instead of running away, and I stayed there, and we got all the way through the whole thing! Every time I got scared, all I had to do was remind myself you were there too, and then it wasn't so bad anymore.

a) Glad I could help.
b) You would’ve been fine on your own.
c) You helped me feel less scared, too.
d) Let’s never do this again.

Poe: I feel a lot stronger now. Like I could do anything... as long as I was with a friend. Thanks for today, world-hopper! I'm gonna sneak back home before my parents realize I'm not in my bedroom, but I'll see you for our next adventure!

Poe swims boldly off into the streets of Vaer Reef. You watch her tiny figure disappear into the dark of the night, swift and sure and just a little braver than she was before.

Quest Rewards
Stat Rewards	2,000 Potatoes	+5 Affection with Poe
Item Rewards	Poe's Coral Candy

Poe: Poe's Great Escape

Quest Information
Speak With	Poe
Prerequisites	500 Affection
Description	"Poe has an important idea to embark on, will you help her?"

Full Transcript

Most of the time, you can find Poe playing near her house, but today she's nowhere to be seen. Eventually, following a hunch, you visit the craggy cliff on the far sides of the suburb, where you find Poe kicking rocks into an underwater canyon.

a) Say hello.
b) Bad day?
c) What're you kicking rocks for?
d) Join her in silence. (?)

Poe doesn't acknowledge you at all, instead kicking her next rock with increased force. She misses completely and tries again with a frustrated yell.

When her foot finally connects, the rock doesn't so much fall into the canyon as drift slowly downwards. Clearly unsatisfied, Poe lines up another rock with her foot.

a) Stop her.
- Poe: What do you want? Leave me alone!
  - a) Uh, sure... (?)
  - b) Not until you tell me what's wrong. (?)
  - c) Hey, I'm just here for the rocks. (?)
  - d) Kick a rock yourself.
    - You steal Poe's rock out from under her foot, sending it rocketing into the canyon yourself before she can kick it. Poe gasps, gills flaring, and glares as angrily as she can.
    - Poe: You jerk! Leave me alone!
b) Kick a rock yourself.
- You steal Poe's rock out from under her foot, sending it rocketing into the canyon yourself before she can kick it. Poe gasps, gills flaring, and glares as angrily as she can.
- Poe: You jerk! Leave me alone!
b) Sit down next to her.
- You settle down, choosing a rock close enough for conversation, but out of range of Poe's wildly swinging feet. She kicks a few more rocks, but her anger doesn't diminish one bit no matter how wildly she flails.
- Poe: What are you still doing here? Leave me alone!
d) Try to get her attention. (?)

After a while, Poe swims over to you, much calmer after kicking several rocks out into the middle canyon.

Poe: Sorry. I don't really want you to leave me alone. It's just kind of a thing I say when I'm mad, I guess.

Poe: World-hopper... Can I come live with you?

a) What?
- Poe: No reason. Come on, just tell me yes or no.
  - a) I don't have a place to live myself.
    - Poe: Oh. Well, then will you come help me find a place to stay?
  - b) Uh, sure, I guess. (?)
  - c) No! (?)
b) No!
- Poe: Oh. Well, then will you come help me find a place to stay?
c) Why?
- Poe: No reason. Come on, just tell me yes or no.
  - a) I don't have a place to live myself.
    - Poe: Oh. Well, then will you come help me find a place to stay?
  - b) Uh, sure, I guess? (?)
  - c) No! (?)
d) Uh, sure, I guess? (?)

Poe: I hafta figure out what I'm doing with, you know... My whole entire life! Will you come with me?

a) Sure.
b) Not right now, I'm busy.
- Poe: Too busy for me, huh? Just like everyone else. I guess I'll just... be here. Waiting for someone to have time for me.
  - I'll be back later.
    - Poe kicks a rock directly upwards, then shrieks and ducks away when it begins to fall back down.
    - Poe: It's just Poe, all alone, by herself, nobody but me, forever and ever and ever and ever...

Poe: I knew I could count on you! Let's go out onto the open road! No rules, no laws, no stupid parents...

Poe hefts up a little bundle of cloth tied to a stick and sets it on her shoulder.

a) Where's the open road?
- Poe: It's, um, you know... Wherever the tides take us, 'cause we're free spirits!
b) I didn't have parents to begin with.
- Poe: Oh... Sorry. I know 'no parents' isn't always a good thing. I can change the motto to "no homework" instead? I think that's something we can all get behind.
c) I'm pretty sure we still have to obey the law.
- Poe: Fine, I guess. You're no fun!
  - a) Lead the way.
d) Lead the way.

Poe leads you at a jogging pace through Vaer Reef, past shops, houses and little parks full of other children at play. Though she tells you that you're going to never stop running, the two of you actually pause whenever she spots a pet seahorse or a pretty anemone.

Finally, your journey ends altogether outside a sweets shop, the water outside the storefront so saturated with sugar that Poe looks almost dizzy every time she breathes in.

Poe: I'm hungry. Let's go inside!

a) Sounds like a plan.
b) Isn't there anywhere healthier we could go?
- Poe: That's what mom and dad would say, but I don't gotta listen to them anymore! I can eat whatever I want, whenever I want, and what I want is candy!
c) I'm not sure candy is the best meal.
- Poe: That's what mom and dad would say, but I don't gotta listen to them anymore! I can eat whatever I want, whenever I want, and what I want is candy!

Instead of shelving, the shop uses loosely-woven baskets to display its wares, each one of them a different pastel shade. Poe goes right to the fanciest display, elaborate sugar figurines in the shape of dolphins and squid.

a) Isn't that kind of expensive?
- Poe; I mean, yeah. That's why Mommy... I mean, Mom never let me get them, but she's not here!
b) Everything looks so tasty!
- Poe; I mean, yeah. That's why Mommy... I mean, Mom never let me get them, but she's not here!
c) Don't comment on Poe's dietary choices.
- You decide to let Poe make her own decisions. She still glances at you before she chooses her candy, almost as if she expects you to object.

Poe: I'll get you something, too, world-hopper! What do you want?

a) A giant kelpwich.
- For the same amount of potatoes Poe's using to buy a single tiny candy figurine, you get a kelpwich almost the size of your head. You only taste a faint hint of sweetness, but it is very filling.
b) Whatever you're having.
- You choose a piece sculpted in the shape of a seahorse and pop it into your mouth in one bite. Instantly, you realize why Poe was willing to spend so much on this one tiny piece. It's almost pure sugar, so overwhelming that you feel dizzy.
c) The 1# Best Selling Coralcakes.
- The coralcakes have been molded into simple shapes - squares and triangles and curving sharks' teeth. Their flavor is balanced and complex, caramelized sweetness and umami richness mingling in each bite.
d) I'm not hungry. (?)

You rejoin Poe outside of the store, where she's sitting on the curb with her bundle nestled in her lap.

Poe: I'm still hungry. I learned something new today. Eating candy... doesn't make you full.

a) Isn't that obvious?
- Poe: I thought that was another lie Mommy told me, like "if you're nice to people, they'll be nice back" and "you'll always be our favorite little fish."
b) Buy something for Poe to eat.
- You go back into the confectionery and return with a giant kelpwich. Poe can't help but make a face, but she thanks you anyway and eats it without complaint.
c) Buy something to eat in front of Poe.
- Poe: You're so mean! Why are you like this?
- You savour Poe's angry protests as you taunt her by stuffing kelpcake after kelpcake into your own mouth as her stomach growls. After you're done, you feel a little sick and bloated, but you grin at her anyway.

Poe: Everything in my fishybank went to that one piece of candy. How come they have to make everything so expensive?

Poe: I always knew this day would come. It's time to face up to cold, hard reality. I gotta get a job.

Poe: I'm just not sure what jobs there are. Mom's a construction worker, but she has to be really strong for that. Dad works at a... A business, I think? Doing money things? I never really asked.

a) You could work at Pyri's clinic!
- Poe walks closer to you when you get to Pyri's neighbourhood. Her eyes are wide as she takes in the jagged rocks and run-down fences, so different from her own modest suburban home. You greet Pyrifera as she looks up from bandaging an octopus.
- Pyrifera: What I do... doesn't get paid very well. Or at all. Sometimes my patients give me leftover kelploaf, but that's about it.
- Pyrifera: If you can do anything else, you should. I don't recommend living like me.
- Poe: Is... is she okay? Maybe we should go. What other jobs do you think I could try?
  - a) You should be a pirate!
  - b) maybe you could go work for the Judge?
  - c) Maybe you could become a dancer?
  - d) What about a scientist?
b) You should be a pirate!
- Poe seems reluctant to venture into Wras' pirate cave, glancing back at you several times as if pleading for you to change your mind.
- Poe: Are you sure about this? What if we make him mad?
  - a) Wras isn't that bad. (?)
  - b) What are you, chicken?
    - Poe: What's a chicken? You're so weird.
    - Poe knocks on a chime that makes a hideous gonging sound. When a bleary-eyed Wras comes into view, she subjects him to the full force of her optimistic energy.
    - Poe: Hello, Mr. Wras, sir, I'm here to start a life of crime!
    - Wras: What... World-hopper, is this a joke? You know what, fine. Kid, if you want to join the crew, you gotta pay a training fee to the captain.
      - a) Warn Poe against paying Wras.
        Wras: Can't get anything past you, huh, world-hopper? Well, you got me.
        
        Wras: Here's lesson number one, kid - Never trust anyone. I'm a pirate, not a babysitter. No way I'd let you on my crew. Now, scram!
        
        He slams the door in your face.
        
        Poe: I guess that's what we get for asking a pirate to help. Do you have any other ideas?
        a) We could work at Pyri's clinic!
        
        b) Maybe you could go work for the Judge?
        
        c) Maybe you could become a dancer?
        
        d) What about a scientist?
      - b) Say nothing. (?)
  - c) Aren't you trying to be a rebel?
    - Poe: You know what? You're right! Mom and dad are gonna be so mad once they find out I'm a real live criminal!
    - Poe knocks on a chime that makes a hideous gonging sound. When a bleary-eyed Wras comes into view, she subjects him to the full force of her optimistic energy.
    - Poe: Hello, Mr. Wras, sir, I'm here to start a life of crime!
    - Wras: What... World-hopper, is this a joke? You know what, fine. Kid, if you want to join the crew, you gotta pay a training fee to the captain.
      - a) Warn Poe against paying Wras. (?)
      - b) Say nothing.
        Poe: I don't have any sea spuds... Do you want an action figure?
        
        Wras accepts Poe's offering and slips it into his pocket.
        
        Wras: Here's lesson number one, kid - Never trust anyone. I'm a pirate, not a babysitter. No way I'd let you on my crew. Now, scram!
        
        He slams the door in your face.
        
        Poe: I guess that's what we get for asking a pirate to help. Do you have any other ideas?
        a) You could work at Pyri's clinic!
        
        b) maybe you could go work for the Judge?
        
        c) Maybe you could become a dancer?
        
        d) What about a scientist?
c) maybe you could go work for the Judge?
- Xarion's expression grows darker and more stern the more you try to explain Poe's situation. Poe shrinks behind you at the sight of his thunderous scowl.
- Xarion: Child labor is highly illegal, not to mention exploitative. World-hopper, how do you know this child? How old is she? What's her name?
- Poe: Just kidding! I don't have a name! I mean, I do, I'm just... Pretending to run away! I'll go back to my family now.
- Poe swims away from Xarion as quickly as she can, and though he seems suspicious, he allows you to go. As she drags you along behind her, you think of another suggestion.
  - a) You could work at Pyri's clinic!
  - b) You should be a pirate!
  - c) Maybe you could become a dancer?
  - d) What about a scientist?
d) Maybe you could become a dancer?
- Poe: Yeah! I'm gonna be a star! A famous, super-popular celebrity, and then Mommy and Daddy really will be sorry! How do I get started? Who do I talk to?
  - Ask Clione for help.
    - Clione: It's not quite so easy to become a dancer as you might think, I'm afraid. You usually have to go audition first, and even then it's very difficult to be cast in a role.
    - Clione: I'm always on the lookout for new talent, so why don't you do a little audition for me first?
      - a) Do a few pirouettes.
        Clione starts clapping a beat, and you try to match your body to the rhythm while keeping an eye on Poe. She's launched into a routine that's mostly frenetic, jerky jumping, completely unconnected to the music. Clione's clapping falters.
      - b) Try to copy one of Clione's routines. (?)
      - c) Do whatever dance Poe decides to do.
        Clione starts clapping a beat, and you try to match your body to the rhythm while keeping an eye on Poe. She's launched into a routine that's mostly frenetic, jerky jumping, completely unconnected to the music. Clione's clapping falters.
      - d) Improvise. (?)
    - Clione: Let's try that again from the top, shall we? Except this time I want you to feel the music. Think... grace. Power. Charm.
    - You're going to have to be more charming to pass Clione's audition. 100 charm should do it.
    - Have 100 charm to pass Clione's audition.
      - a) You heard her, Poe. From the top!
      - b) I'll be back.
        Poe tries to do a twirl, but she gets too dizzy from spinning, overbalances and accidentally shoves her hand into Clione's face.
    - You and Poe debut your improved routine with Clione calling out instructions the whole time.
    - Clione: Elbows in! Point your toes! Don't forget to smile!
    - Poe finishes her dance with one last high kick, so forceful and energetic that it flings her shoe right off. While she swims after it, Clione pulls you aside.
    - Clione: Where'd you find this kid, anyway? I don't want to say that she couldn't dance herself into a grade school talent show, so you're going to have to say it for me.
    - Clione: Maybe she could take some dance classes or something?
    - Clione makes a hasty exit, waving a gracious goodbye to Poe. You're left with a very hopeful looking little fish.
    - Poe; What'd she say? Do I have a job?
      - a) You should probably take some dance classes first.
        Poe: We don't have time for that! I'm gonna get hungry again in like, two hours!
      - b) She says you're a terrible dancer.
        Poe: ...Oh. I didn't know I was bad.
e) What about a scientist?
- Olievar: You want to be my assistant? That's wonderful! I haven't had a proper research assistant in... well, ever. We'll have to give you a background on my research before you start, obviously.
- Olievar: Recently, I've been examining what you'd call garden anemones. I think their unique color might have something to do with the properties of the sand that they grow in...
- Olie gets so involved with their explanation, even whipping out a clay tablet to scratch out illustrating diagrams, that they don't notice Poe whispering at you.
- Poe: I don't know what they're saying. Do you?
- You have to admit that you don't quite Comprehend Olie's lecture. Maybe you'll have to study up a bit before you can.
- Gain 5 comprehension to understand Olievar's research.
  - Poe's head nods downward as she listens to Olie's lecture. She only barely manages to avoid falling asleep by drifting face first into a pot of kelp.
- You've learned just enough that you can explain Olie's process to Poe. It involves months of slow observation and taking notes, as well as consulting their own texts and the books they find in Vaer Reef for research.
- Poe: World-hopper... This is just like school! I didn't run away from home just to go to more school.

Poe: I guess finding a job to do isn't actually easy, huh? I wonder how Mommy and Daddy did it. Maybe it was hard for them, too. I wonder...

Poe: Whatever! It doesn't matter. I'm not giving up! Freedom 'till the day I die, even if that means starving on the street tonight! I'm never going home, ever.

a) Why are you so mad at your parents?
b) You don't need them, anyway. (?)
c) That sounds a little extreme.
- Poe: Well, you know what? My life is extreme!
d) It would be smarter to go home.
- Poe: If that's smart, maybe I wanna be stupid!

Poe: They ruined everything! We were all fine before the Egg came.

a) The egg?
b) What do you mean?
c) Wait for Poe to say more.

Poe: All Mom and Dad think about now is the Egg. We had to move my toy sword up into the closet 'cause they said it was dangerous, and there are stupid baby nets all over every room in the house.

Poe: They don't like me anymore. Nothing I do is right! If I forget a chore, Dad gives me a whole lecture about how I "need to grow up" 'cause I'm "gonna be a big sister soon."

Poe: Well, no one ever asked me if I wanted to be a big sister! I thought we were fine with just the three of us! It's not my fault they had to go and get another kid!

a) Your parents love you.
- Poe: Yeah, or maybe they hate me so much they're making a replacement kid.
b) That's what this is all about? Chores?
- Poe: It's about principles! Freedom! Justice! And never having to scrub minnow poop off the windows ever again!
c) Quit being such a brat. (?)
d) That sounds pretty rough.
- Poe: I mean, I guess other people have it worse. Last time I read a book about this guy who chewed his own leg off in his sleep!
- Poe: But this is kind of the worst thing that's happened to me. It feels really bad, even if I still have all my legs.

Poe: They never used to care if my clothes were floating around my room or if I got a little loud playing pirate in the mornings, but now it's like if I'm even a tiny bit messy I'm the worst person in the world.

Poe: You know Dad's taking three whole months off work? He wouldn't even take two weeks off when I wanted to go to the Deepest Sea Safari tour! How come a stupid egg is more important than the best safari tour ever? Babies don't even do anything!

Poe: Anyway, I've decided. If I gotta grow up, I'll grow all the way up! I'm gonna live on my own, and have my own job, and do anything I want!

a) You haven't found a job yet.
- Poe: Not yet, but... I got something in mind.
b) Would it really be so bad to stay at home?
- Poe: You don't get it, world-hopper. From this day on... I have no home.
c) So you're basically throwing a tantrum. (?)
d) Adults can't actually do anything they want, you know.
- Poe: Oh, yeah? Well, this one can! Or I will, when I have money.

Poe: All the cool jobs your friends have need like, qualifications, but there's one job any kid in the neighborhood can do. I didn't want it to come to this, but I don't have a choice. I'm gonna have to babysit.

a) I have to babysit every time I see you.
- Poe: Not true! Maybe I'm the one babysitting you, huh? Ever think about that?
b) What's so bad about babysitting?
- Poe: Babies are the worst. They're so annoying!
  - a) You're annoying. (?)
  - b) Aren't you a little kid?
    - Poe: No, you are!
  - c) I agree. (?)
c) Should someone like you really be babysitting? (?)
d) That's terrible!
- Poe: I know, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

Course of action settled, Poe swims back to her neighborhood, dragging you along as she swims door to door, asking parents if they need help with their children.

Most families seem reluctant to unleash Poe upon their unsuspecting young, but you eventually find one very harried-looking parent willing to consider it.

By the bags under their eyes, you can tell they haven't slept in a long time. Looking past Poe, they ask if you're offering babysitting services as well.

a) Yes.
b) No.
- Poe: That's right, I'm the one you should be talking to! The world-hopper's just my assistant.

They quiz you and Poe for a little while on the finer points of health and safety before finally agreeing to let the two of you watch their kids while they run to a market.

They introduce you to their kids, an angelic-looking toddler and a little boy not much younger than Poe herself. The kids behave themselves all the way up until their parent leaves. The toddler bursts into loud, messy sobs, and her brother starts laughing at Poe's baffled face.

Poe: Why is she crying? They were fine until just now! Make them stop!

a) Threaten the children.
- You tell the kids exactly what's going to happen if they don't quiet down right this second. After you start talking about feeding them to the sharks scale by scale, the older one starts crying, too.
- Poe: Wow, you're really bad at this. Even worse than I am!
  - a) Appeal to their better natures.
  - b) Try to bribe them.
b) Appeal to their better natures.
- You ask them if they can be good for their parent's sake, for their own sakes, and for the sake of society itself. They ignore you.
  - a) Try to bribe them.
  - b) Threaten the children.
c) Try to bribe them.
- You tell the toddler that if she stops crying, you'll get her a personal seahorse. Her sniffling stops, and she asks you if you really mean it.
  - a) I do.
    - The toddler glances at her brother. He subtly shakes his head, and she yells that she doesn't believe you and starts crying again.
  - b) Uh...
    - Immediately, the toddler bursts into tears again, louder than ever before.
  - c) Not really.
    - Immediately, the toddler bursts into tears again, louder than ever before.

Now in a full-blown tantrum, the toddler is banging her fists against the floor as she screams. Her brother tugs at Poe's sleeve and tells her that she won't quiet down unless both of them are given candy.

a) Give them what they asked for.
- You fork over the sweets, immediately silencing both children. They retreat to the corner, mouths too full of candy to continue screaming. Poe gives you a haunted stare.
b) keep waiting it out.
- The toddler kicks so hard she starts floating in the water, but eventually she starts losing energy. She keeps stealing peeks at you and Poe, and when she sees that both of you aren't even looking at her, she stops.
- Giving the two of you a dirty look, her brother drags her off to play in a corner.
c) Both of you?
- Looking down at you with a superior stare, the little boy informs you that his sister is very fair-minded and insists on equal treatment for them both.

Poe: I bet this is what it's going to be like when the egg hatches. They'll scream all the time, and I'll never get away from it, never ever.

Just as Poe predicted, the screaming starts up again. This time, the toddler's shrieking with laughter as she empties out the kitchen cabinets, sending forks and knives scattering all over the floor.

Poe: Hey! Cut that out!

a) Pick her up.
- You lunge towards her but she swims away, screaming with unholy glee. Her brother blocks you with his own body, yelling at a similar volume.
b) Pick up the dishware. (?)
c) Block her from the kitchen.
- You manage to block her access to any more of the kitchen cabinets, but all she does is swim out towards the living room to swing on the living room lamp.
d) Scold her.
- She fumbles a little at your firm, commanding tone and runs to hide behind her brother, still scattering forks behind her as she goes.

Poe: What's wrong with this kid? I wasn't that bad when I was her age, was I?

Solemnly, her brother informs you that this toddler has always been uncontrollable. The only way to really calm her is to give her a new toy. Though he doesn't give a similar excuse for himself, he still swims off to join his sister's mayhem.

Poe pulls you aside, sidling over without breaking her suspicious eye contact with the two kids.

Poe: I think something weird's going on with these kids.

a) They're devil children.
- Poe: I mean, yeah, they're the worst... but why?
b) Maybe they're sad about something. (?)
c) Aren't all kids like this?
- Poe: Um, no! I mean, sure, who hasn't made a mess once or twice... but the way she kept going after we got mad at her? That's weird, and so is the way her brother keeps looking at us.
d) You're right. Something smells fishy here.
- Poe: Oh! Oops. I think that might be me.

Poe: We should investigate. Do you think you could get your pets to distract them? That way we can sneak up and see if they let anything slip. 'Course, you're gonna have to train them to be kid-friendly first...

It looks like you should interact with your pets to teach them how to play with kids. 2 times should be enough.

Interact with your pet 2 times.

a) My pets are ready to make friends. (interacted 2/2 times)
b) I'll be back.
- The kids have somehow gotten into their parent's closet. They're parading around in very fancy-looking clothes, accidentally tearing a shimmery mesh scarf in the process.
- Poe tries to keep the kids from uncorking the algae bottles in the pantry, but she's already too late. The algae disperses into the water, tinting the entire living room green.

Poe: Hey! Over here! We don't have new toys for you, but you can play with the world-hopper's pets. Pretty cool, right? Aren't they cute?

Mesmerized by your pets, the kids stop destroying the house.

a) Eavesdrop from behind the table.
- You and Poe crawl under the table to try and listen in, but unfortunately that puts you right in the toddler's line of sight. After a moment of awkward eye contact, you pretend like you're playing a game and thus avoid detection.
  - a) Poke your head around the wall.
  - b) Disguise yourself as your pet.
  - c) Swim up along the ceiling.
b) Poke your head around the wall.
- You can hear furious whispering, but not much else.
  - a) Eavesdrop from behind the table.
  - b) Disguise yourself as your pet.
  - c) Swim up along the ceiling.
c) Disguise yourself as your pet.
- After some discussion, you and Poe determine that any costumes you could assemble in the next few minutes wouldn't be convincing enough to pass.
  - a) Eavesdrop from behind the table.
  - b) Poke your head around the wall.
  - c) Swim up along the ceiling.
d) Swim up along the ceiling.
- The two of you make your way above the children's heads in a slow, steady breaststroke, clinging to the chandelier to stay in place as you listen in. They're clearly too distracted by your pets to look up.

You can hear their excitement when the brother tells his sister to swim into a vase and break it. Then he'll offer to hide the evidence if you give him more candy, and the two of them will split the spoils.

Poe: So they're just pretending to be uncontrollable? That's... that's genius!

a) See if they say anything else.
- The older brother appears to be the mastermind of their scheme. Apparently, the two of them together have consistently scammed the neighborhood's babysitters out of a steady supply of candy and toys.
b) Pretend you heard nothing and retreat.
- You start to swim away, but Poe rushes forward before you can stop her.
- Poe: Aha! You're busted!
- Poe crashes into the kids from above like an avenging vigilante, forcing them to dive out of the way.
c) Confront them.
- Poe: Aha! You're busted!
- Poe crashes into the kids from above like an avenging vigilante, forcing them to dive out of the way.

Poe: We know all about your little schemes, and if you don't behave I'm gonna tell all the babysitters in the neighborhood! Now, clean up your mess or else!

a) Aren't you a little easy on them?
- Poe: Oh, right! And! I also want ten percent of all the candy you get!
  - a) No, I mean, you should tell their parent. (?)
  - b) Only ten percent? Why not twenty?
    - Poe: Good point, world-hopper. I like the way you think.
  - c) I thought you'd be angrier. (?)
  - d) Nod in agreement. (?)
b) You should be ashamed of yourselves!
- The kids seem remarkably unaffected by your moral outrage.
c) It was a nice try, but we were just too smart for you.
- Poe: That's right! You might've gotten away with it again if we weren't such great babysitters.
d) Nod in agreement. (?)

The kids have no choice but to follow your instructions and clean up the terrible mess they've made. Afterwards, the brother sulks in his corner with a toy carriage, but his sister seems to have decided that you're now worthy of respect.

She follows you around, peppering you and Poe with questions. At first Poe's replies are short and dismissive, but soon enough she warms to the little girl's admiration and starts bragging about her own legendary schemes.

When the kids' parent returns from the market, they seem pleased at the condition of the house. They say that Poe can help babysit again next week and ask you how their children behaved.

a) Tell the truth.
- The parent seems disappointed but not surprised, telling their kids that they won't be seeing any candy at all for a very long time. They thank you for telling them and increase your pay for the trouble.
b) Keep the kids' secret.
- You tell the parent that everything was completely fine, a statement they accept with some suspicion but a lot of relief. The kids look at you like you're their hero, and even the older one grudgingly admits that being babysat by the two of you wasn't so bad.
c) Let them sweat a little.
- You draw out your report, relishing the panic on the kids' faces as they realize you could tell their parent everything and get them into serious trouble. Eventually, you decide to...
  - a) Tell the truth. (?)
  - b) Keep the kids' secret.

Poe's a little quiet as you walk away from her neighbor's house. She's lost the defiant energy that's fueled her through the day's long job search, and all that's left is a seriousness that you haven't seen in her before.

Poe: Hey, world-hopper, do you think if I had a little sibling like that...

a) You could raise them better?
- Poe: No, that's not it.
b) They'd be a brat just like those two?
- Poe: No, that's not it.
c) Let her finish her sentence.

Poe: Do you think I could train them to cry on command, just like the little sister we babysat did? We could distract Mom and Dad for each other when report cards come out.

Poe: I'd teach them all the best tricks for getting Mommy to buy extra candy at the market. I bet if I told them it's the law, they'd let me have first pick of whatever we got. Little kids'll believe anything.

Poe: They probably wouldn't know any of the hiding places in the neighborhood, but I could show them, and I'd make sure none of the cousins picked on them for being the littlest.

Poe: I think I'd be a good big sister. Much better than some of the kids I know, anyway. Maybe... Maybe I shouldn't run away from home. I mean, who's gonna teach the egg to sneak kelpcakes from the jar if I'm not there?

a) Your parents?
- Poe: Um, who do you think we're sneaking the kelpcakes from?
- Poe:I mean, Mom and Dad are okay, but it's not like they'll tell the egg anything really important. They don't even know any good recess games.
b) It sounds like you're gonna be a bad influence.
- Poe: I'm gonna teach them how to live in the real world! It's fish-eat-fish out there. Mom and Dad don't get it.
c) So you're going back home just like that?
- Poe: Don't get me wrong, I still want to live free. Someday! Just... maybe when the egg is a little older.

Poe: So... I'm sorry, world-hopper, but I can't live alone on the open road with you.

Poe stops abruptly, and you realize that all this time you've been walking back towards her front door.

Poe: Follow me!

She sneaks you in via the second-floor window. The two of you creep through the upper levels of the house towards the nursery, a curving room with a single orange egg hanging in a net suspended from the ceiling.

Poe takes it from its net and puts it in your arms, your hand against the smooth, squishy surface.

Poe: See?

a) Closely observe the egg.
- You wait with your palms pressed against the egg. Is it more yellow towards the center, or have you just been staring at it for too long?
- Finally, you don't see it so much as feel it: a tiny ripple runs across the surface of the egg, like the slow, sleepy kick of tiny feet.
b) I don't see anything.
- Poe: Just wait.
c) Squeeze the egg. (?)

Poe: That's my little sibling. Doesn't it feel like they're going to hatch soon?

Poe: I'm glad we ran away today. If I didn't get to see what the real world was like, I don't think I would've been ready to be a big sister to anybody.

Poe: There's so much stuff out there, and the egg is so small. They're gonna need a friend when they hatch, won't they? Someone to take them around and show them everything about the world?

Poe: That's what you are for me, world-hopper. I think I'd like doing the same thing for someone else.

From downstairs, you can hear Poe's father calling for her. Apparently, she's late for dinner.

Poe: Ugh! I'm gonna go down and tell Dad that I'm the most responsiblest person in the family. I have a job! He can quit nagging me.

Poe: Keep the babysitting money, okay? I won't need it now that I'm home again.

Poe's father calls for her again, louder this time. She puts the egg back in its net, shoos you out the window and runs downstairs to join her family, finally back where she belongs.

Complete quest.

Here will be the condensed version of the quest

Quest Rewards
Stat Rewards	5,000 Potatoes	+5 Affection with Poe
Item Rewards	Poe's Little Friends	Poe's Silvery Layered Robes
Item Rewards	Poe's Totem	Poe's Silver Balloons

Wras: The Great Heist

Quest Information
Speak With	Wras
Prerequisites	Main Quest: The Great Festival
Description	"Wras is planning a heist and has invited you along."

Full Transcript

Wras: Oi! World-hopper! Looks like you're on my turf again, kid. Seems to me like you're looking for trouble.

You look around, unable to see anyone in the ruins around you until Wras leaps down from a nearby rooftop. He saunters over to you, the trailing ends of his scarf floating dramatically behind him.

Wras: Well, today's your lucky day, 'cause my crew and I are brewing up some major mayhem. Something legendary. And since nobody in this entire ocean can do the kind of weird surface magic you can, I'm thinking you could be our secret weapon. You in?

a) Not right now.
- Wras: Your loss, kid. I'm not letting you back in on the plan unless you ask nicely, hear?
b) Sure, I’ll help you.

Wras: Heh. I knew there was no chance you wouldn't want to join in. Put your stealth cap on, world-hopper, 'cause we're pulling off the heist of the century. I think you'll hate our target as much as I do. His name's Mikam. He's a real bottom feeder. Lowest of the low. One of my least favorite customers if I had to rank 'em. The guy owns more property than he knows what to do with, and all he cares about is getting more. He's got two employees whose only jobs are to follow him around and shine his scales every thirty minutes. One time he paid me a hundred thousand potatoes to buy the shoes off my feet, and he still complained that they didn't fit him after. I almost stabbed him for that, but I thought up a better revenge.

a) What kind of revenge?
b) I don’t want to hurt anybody.
- Wras: Quit your moralizing and get a grip. We're pirates, not kindergarten teachers. If there's a threat, we do everyting we can to win. End of story. Besides, he deserves it.
c) Sounds like a jerk.
- Wras: He’s the worst. Usually I’m happy to sell to any rich idiot who wants to waste their potatoes, but this guy is a waste of water.
d) Stabbing sounds pretty good to me.
- Wras: Ha! I like that attitude, but let's work on the imagination.

Wras: We're gonna hit him where it hurts. Mikam's hosting one of his famous birthday parties tomorrow, and we're going to crash it. People are going to be in and out of his house all night, which gives us the perfect opportunity to cause some havoc. He's got more priceless artifacts than you could count in a lifetime, but we're going to steal something better. See, Mikam commissioned a sculptor to make a giant kelp statue of himself for the party. Bought up half the kelp supply in Vaer Reef to do it. Now prices are so high that my crew and I only had algae for lunch yesterday. That was the last straw for me. If he's taking the kelp outta my mouth, then I'm gonna steal it back.

a) Just the kelp?
- Wras: Well, I wouldn't mind grabbing a little something extra. There's a lot of valuables in that mansion. We might as well nab what we can get.
b) That sounds difficult.
- Wras: Ha! Who do you think I am? I'm the best pirate in this whole ocean, kid. Some rich loser's security system isn't about to stop me.
c) That’s so petty…
- Wras: Yeah, well, a good pirate never forgets a grudge.
d) Yeah! Go theft!

Wras: Anyway, if we're going to do this, we'll need a way to infiltrate the party. I've got way too famous of a face to pose as a guest, but you? You're perfect. Put you in some fancy clothes and you could be anybody. Why don't you get a nice fancy outfit? Show me what you got from all your travels.

Equip 5 pieces of fancy clothing from various sources in order to complete your disguise.

Wras: I’ve looted, scammed, or just generally menaced too many of the people who’ll be at Mikam’s party to not be recognized. One of the pitfalls of being Vaer Reef’s greatest pirate!

a) I have my disguise.
b) I’ll be back.

Wras: Heh. You look like a regular high society brat in that stupid fancy getup. Makes me glad I can use my own clothes when I'm posing as your servant.

a) Are you sure no one will recognize you?
b) Wait, you’re not even getting in disguise?
c) What do we do next?

Wras: One of the major perks of stealing from the rich is how ignorant they are. There's no way any of those fools'll spend more than half a second looking at the help.

Wras: We'll need to get you an invite and a way to arrive in style. Fortunately for you, my crew and I have that handled.

You follow Wras and his scruffy band of conspirators towards the richer parts of Vaer Reef, swimming high above the streetlights so you don't stand out in the well-manicured uptown streets and gardens.

Wras: See any carriages you like? Say the word and we'll take it for a ride.

a) I’m not sure I want to steal anything.
- Wras: Well, that's the whole point of tonight, so too bad. We have to hijack a guests' carriage so we can take their invitation, remember? Looks like I have to do everything myself. Crew, let's go for the red one down there.
b) I want the red one with four seahorses!
c) I want the one that looks like a seashell.
d) I want the biggest, gaudiest carriage possible.
- Wras: Ha! I like your attitude. Looks like we're gonna arrive in style.

Wras and his crew dive onto the carriage from above, spooking the seahorses and wresting control of the reins from the driver. In a smooth, practiced motion, Wras opens the carriage door and tosses its passenger out into the ocean. You follow him into the carriage, watching the passenger shake their fist at you as you drive away. Wras cackles, leaning out the window to give them a jaunty wave.

Wras: See? Smooth as algae jam. They'll probably try to chase after us, but it won't be easy catching up to a carriage like this just by swimming. By the time they get to the mansion, we'll be long gone.

You glance out of the window. The passenger has already abandoned their chase. They're hunched over with their hands on their knees, doubled over from exertion. Wras settles back into the carriage cushions, digging around until he finds a little box of sweets.

Wras: Rich people always have tiny snacks wherever they go. I oughta have one of my crew carry some around for me.

a) I’d love having a snack butler myself.
- Wras: Wouldn't anyone? Too bad you're not important enough to have your own crew.
b) Isn’t that a little mean?
- Wras: Sure, but who cares? Perks of being a pirate, kid. I'm as mean as I want to whoever I want.
c) Can I have some sweets?
- Wras: Ha! I'm not going to share just because you asked nicely. Get your own.
d) Try to grab some food for yourself.
- You swipe at the crystallized plankton in Wras's hand, but he's too fast for you. He holds it an arms' length away, smirking at your attempt.
- Wras: Too slow, world-hopper!

A little more searching around the carriage's various compartments reveals an engraved stone statue of a squid-headed man with a big smile. Wras turns it over, reading the small letters carved onto the statue's feet.

Wras: Here's your invitation. Tonight, you're Fifiolo, socialite and amateur romance novelist. All you gotta do is keep your cover, and our plan'll go off without a hitch.

Wras gives you an assessing stare, his usual bravado dimmed into thoughtful consideration.

Wras: You're dressed the part, but your attitude's all wrong. Straighten up a little, will ya? Look down your nose and think "entitlement." And do it quick, 'cause we're here.

The carriage shudders to a stop, and one of the mansion's footmen opens the door before you even have time to respond. Wras hands him the statue. He bows to you, and asks you how you'd like to be announced.

a) Just call me world-hopper.
- The footman gives you a dubious stare and hesitates before heading back into the mansion. He has a whispered discussion with the guard at the door before motioning the two of you in.
- Wras: Seriously? You had one job!
b) How dare you not know who I am?
- The footman gulps and stutters out a placating apology, wilting under your imperious glare. Wras grins at his terror, but saves him anyway by making the introduction for you.
- Wras bows with a flourish, pitching his voice loud enough to boom across the mansion's lawn.
- Wras: Behold the magnificent and noble Fifiolo, heir to the Vaer Reef Sandal Strap company!
c) Fifiolo, obviously. My name is enough.
- The footman nods and motions you towards the mansion. Wras helps you out of the carriage, bowing as elegantly as a professional butler as he ushers you through the doors.
d) My servant Wras will speak for me.
- Wras bows with a flourish, pitching his voice loud enough to boom across the mansion's lawn.
- Wras: Behold the magnificent and noble Fifiolo, heir to the Vaer Reef Sandal Strap company!

The mansion's front steps lead directly into a massive staircase, each step carved with tiny squid depictions of Mikam and his ancestors. Above the stairs is an even larger ballroom with high, vaulted ceilings. Music drifts down towards you from the second floor.

Wras: You're gonna have to talk to a couple people when we walk in. Just stay calm and keep yourself in character, and I'll scope out the joint.

As the guard at the door announces your arrival, you're ambushed by a young lady wearing a floor-length dress completely covered in jewels the moment you step into the ballroom. She greets you and asks you how you know Mikam.

a) We went to finishing school together.
- The young lady is so pleased with your answer that she introduces you to her friends, who have congregated at the side of the ballroom. They're having a conversation about their favorite professional squidball teams, and ask you about yours.
  - a) I’m a Pirate’s fan.
  - b) I like the South Side Sailors.
  - c) What’s a squidball?
  - d) My favorite team is the one I own.
    - The group laughs heartily in agreement, regaling you with sports team ownership stories of their own. One of them tells you a story about how he interrupted a game so he could join the players on the field. You manage to get out of the conversation without being discovered, and as the group disperses you're free to explore the ballroom, squeezing through the crowd of revelers.
b) Uh… Around?
- The young lady seems dissatisfied by your answer, and so does Wras. Both of them glare at you as you try to edge away from the conversation. Unfortunately, you walk right into a circle of friends talking about their favorite professional squidball teams.
  - a) I’m a Pirate’s fan.
  - b) I like the South Side Sailors.
    - You manage to get out of the conversation without being discovered, and as the group disperses you're free to explore the ballroom, squeezing through the crowd of revelers.
  - c) What’s a squidball?
  - d) My favorite team is the one I own.
c) He’s my cousin’s uncle’s teacher’s friend.
- The young lady nods in understanding. She's about to ask you another question when her friends join her, a group of party guests who are having a conversation about professional squidball. They ask you what your favorite team is.
  - a) I’m a Pirate’s fan.
    - Wras: Heh.
    - You manage to get out of the conversation without being discovered, and as the group disperses you're free to explore the ballroom, squeezing through the crowd of revelers.
  - b) I like the South Side Sailors.
  - c) What’s a squidball?
  - d) My favorite team is the one I own.
d) I’m actually crashing the party.
- The young lady laughs at your excellent joke, but it seems like she still expects you to have a real response. (repeat thread)

The room is illuminated by thousands of bottles of glowing algae hanging from the ceiling like tiny stars and caged electric eels that flash with light every few seconds. Tables of food dot the room, along with more gaudy statues of Mikam's smiling face. Wras seems to have made a game of pickpocketing as much jewelry as possible as he walks through the crowd, so smoothly that you wouldn't have noticed it if you weren't standing right next to him. As you walk with him, you hear a familiar voice...

Clione: World-hopper! I thought I saw you walking by. What are you doing here?

a) I’m attending the party.
b) Why wouldn’t I be here?
- Clione: Because as far as I know, this isn't your crowd.
c) I’m not the world-hopper.
d) Clione! Hi!

Clione: How do you know Mikam? And... you know that guy behind you's been following you around for the past five minutes, right?

She cranes her neck over to look at Wras, who ducks his head to hide his face.

a) That’s my servant.
- Clione: You have a servant now? Since when? And... Why? Something weird's going on here.
b) He’s my friend.
- Clione: Oh! In that case... it's lovely to meet you. Any friend of the world-hopper's is a friend of mine. What did you say your name was again?
- She looks at Wras expectantly.
c) I don’t know him.
- Clione: Well, in that case, he better back off!

Clione's attention is on Wras, and it's only a matter of time before she realizes who he is. You're going to have to be charming enough to distract her before she blows your cover.

350 total Charm should give you the right level of distraction.

a) Wait, Clione, I wanted to ask you…
b) One moment...

You manage to divert Clione's suspicions by referencing some of her two favorite things to talk about - gossip and herself. Wras is almost completely forgotten as she regales you with stories about her fellow partygoers.

Clione: Honestly, I'm only here because some of my theaters' patrons like to socialize with the stars. Ugh, they have feedback on everything and I hate listening to it! Like, please stop backseat dancing and stick to what you know, which is nothing. Last time Mikam told me that I was dancing too purple and he wanted me to dance more blue. What's that even supposed to mean? And of course I can't say anything if I want the production to keep its funding. It's the worst.

Wras sidles subtly away from the two of you, swiping a fan from a nearby dowager to hide his face until he's out of Clione's line of sight. He discards his fan in a nearby algae bowl and jerks his head towards a distant hallway, clearly expecting you to follow.

a) Clione, I have to go.
- Clione: Am I boring you? Well, excuse me! You're the one who asked in the first place.
b) Pretend to laugh at Clione’s story.
- Emboldened by your positive response, Clione keeps talking.
- You can see Wras getting more impatient by the second as he waits for you, but you can't escape the conversation until she spots one of her theater sponsors and has to go.
c) Is that Mikam coming over right now?
- Clione: Oh, no. I'm out. If I see him, he's going to want to tell me his opinions about art again.
- Clione swims away as graciously as she can while keeping out of Mikam's line of sight, you wave goodbye.
d) Slowly back away from Clione.
- Clione: Am I boring you? Well, excuse me! You're the one who asked in the first place.

You find Wras tucked away behind yet another coral sculpture of Mikam. He leans on the wall as he takes in the ballroom, his calculating gaze sweeping over the dance floor.

Wras: Focus, kid. We're here to make a distraction, not chat with your friends. See anything that might work?

a) Let’s start a food fight.
- Wras: I like the way you think.
- You size up your most likely targets. There's a group of laughing socialites in elaborate, expensive clothes on one end and a circle of very stern guards at the other. Wras takes a handful of algae gel and lets fly. The slop lands on the guards' dress uniforms and the room erupts into laughter, provoking the youngest guard to stride across the room and upend a whole bowl of seagrass mush onto a socialite's head. From then on, it's pandemonium. There won't be a single inch of the ballroom not covered in splats of food by the time the night is over. The genteel atmosphere has devolved into absolute chaos, each partier focused on nothing less than total destruction. Wras laughs with almost childlike glee.
b) We should release the electric eels.
- Wras: Maximum mayhem. I like it.
- Wras produces a set of lockpicks and gets to work on the eel cages as you block him from sight with a strategically held serving platter. He has them unlocked in moments, and all the two of you have to do is stand back and watch them escape their cages. As the eels flood into the ballroom, sending pulses of shocking electricity through the water, the guests around you begin to scream and run. Some go for the stairs, but most seem to just run in pure directionless panic.
c) Maybe I could sing a song?
- You make your way to the center of the ballroom and start to sing, using an empty table as your makeshift stage. Though a few party goers give you strange looks, the acoustics of the room muffle your voice enough that only the people around you can hear. Instead of causing a distraction, you're almost entirely ignored. As Wras laughs at you in the background, you try to get off the table and head back in a dignified manner. You're going to have to try something else if you want to cause a real distraction. (restart thread)

Wras surveys the chaos like a maniacal king looking over his domain, which is when he manages to notice the mansion guards slowly advancing towards you just in the nick of time. Without even a warning, he grabs your wrist and bolts. The two of you escape into the warren of hallways that lead into the mansion. You run through a room full of identical grinning sculptures, past a hallway where every single door leads to a different walk-in closet. Wras skids to a stop near a courtyard where a single seahorse is tied to a post, the guards' thundering footsteps not far behind.

Wras: Well, hello there.

He swings himself up onto the seahorse, cutting its rope and guiding it out towards open water. Almost as an afterthought, he tosses you a carved stone whistle.

Wras: Make sure to stall those guards for me, huh? Keep ahold of this, 'cause I'm outta here. See ya later, loser!

With a kick of his heels, the seahorse bolts and takes him away.You're left in an empty courtyard as the guards start closing in.

a) Run back the way you came.
- You run at the wall of approaching guards, then at the last moment dive down and slide through the gap between them, barely grazing a guardsman's leg. You take advantage of their shock to race away, knocking over potted plants and decorative vases to block their paths.
b) Try the whistle.
- You can barely hear the quiet, reedy sound of the whistle over the guards' yells. Nothing happens. (repeats)
c) Swim after Wras.
- You kick your way upwards, but your puny surface-dweller swimming skills aren't faster than the sleek dolphins and swordfish in Mikam's guard. They cut past you to block your escape. (repeats)
d) Beg Wras to save you.
- You're sure that Wras must have heard your shouted plea, but his only response is a wild, mocking laugh. (repeats)

There's no time to think. You barely remember where to go. All you can do is lunge through openings as soon as you spot them, staying just one step ahead of the guards that gain on you with each step. A sudden swerve lands you in the kitchens, the guards not far behind. The cooks yell as you interrupt their work, but they don't stop chopping and dicing even when the guards storm in.

a) Try Wras’s whistle.
- You blow on the whistle. Nothing happens. (repeats)
b) Leap out the window!
- Using a pan to break the glass, you shatter the window and shimmy outwards.
c) Try to grab a weapon.
- You reach out blindly and snatch the nearest thing that comes to hand, which is a dead tuna. Brandishing at the guards is no use. They don't seem intimidated by the fish flopping in your hand. (repeats)
d) Hide in a cabinet.
- You duck downwards towards one of the cabinets, but it's already full of various types of seagrass. There's no time to empty it, and the guards have already seen you swim up there. (repeats)

Unfortunately, the guards see you and follow suit one by one, giving you only a few seconds' lead before they catch you again.

a) Try Wras’s whistle again.
- The whistle is just as quiet as it was before. Guards surround you on all sides, careful but unyielding in their unstoppable advance. There's nowhere left for you to run.
b) Swim upwards.
- The guards follow, close enough that you can feel one of them swipe at your ankle as you furiously kick your way upwards. (repeats)
c) Try another of the mansion’s windows.
- You frantically dive towards another window and reach out to try the latch, only for it to snap open and tumble you head first into a shockingly soft lavender room. A family of colourful angel fish scream and leave the room as guards pour in behind you. (repeats)
d) Swim downwards.
- You dive down towards the ocean floor. Shouting comes from below, and you swerve away at the last second as even more guards pour through the entrance, shaking their nets as they move to cut off your exit. (repeats)

You're so focused on the oncoming guards that you barely notice the shadow. It comes as a surprise when the guards yelp and start to back away, and only then do you look up to see Wras on the back of a giant crab, grinning down at you.

Wras: Looks like you got out of there after all. I almost didn't think you'd make it! Hop on.

a) How did you find me?
- Wras: Whistle’s a signal. We can’t hear it, but these sea beasts do.
b) You abandoned me!
- Wras: Uh, yeah. Pirate, remember? Besides, if you couldn't get out of one measly mansion, you wouldn't be worth coming back for.
c) Get on the crab.
d) Where did you go?
- Wras: I finished up the job.

Wras: See, the chaos in the ballroom was only half the distraction. The other half was you. I needed you to distract the guards, because I didn't want them to notice this.

Other pirates riding their own giant crabs gather around you. Each crab is tied to Mikam's giant kelp statue of himself with rope, and as they rise and swim away from the mansion, they tug the statue along with them like a massive parade balloon.

Wras: We'll swim until we're over the center of the town, and then get the crabs to slice up the statue. Everyone in Vaer Reef tomorrow is going to wake up to kelp from above, whether they wanted it or not!

a) That sounds kind of wasteful.
b) So that’s your revenge?
- Wras: Well... that's not all of it.
c) Isn’t that unsanitary?
- Wras: Who cares? It's delicious.
d) Enjoy the ride.

Wras: Today was a good day. We ruined a party, stole the statue, and that's not all.

Wras reaches into his crab's saddlebags and draws out several glittering pieces of jewelry and exquisitely carved silverware, clearly taken from Mikam's mansion.

Wras: While we were in there, I decided to liberate a couple extras for myself. You can take some, too. I got more than enough to buy myself anything I want now.

Perched atop the giant crab, you and the pirates soar above Vaer Reef, Mikam's guards nothing but a distant memory. With the sea beasts at your side, you feel unstoppable. Wras's crew shouts with laughter as they drag the statue over rooftops to scare stargazing children. You can see everything from here, elaborate carriages and ramshackle houses, but as the crabs rise they grow smaller and further away.

Wras: This is my favorite part of being a pirate, world-hopper. I can do anything I want. The real party starts now, just lie back and bask in the win.

Rewards: Wras' Candy Coins, 2500 Potatoes, +5 Affection with Wras

You wander into Wras' turf.

Wras: Well, today's your lucky day, 'cause my crew and I are brewing up some major mayhem. Something legendary. And since nobody in this entire ocean can do the kind of weird surface magic you can, I'm thinking you could be our secret weapon. You in?

a) Not right now.
b) Sure, I’ll help you.

Wras details his plan to get revenge on an annoying customer named Mikam.

Wras: One time he paid me a hundred thousand potatoes to buy the shoes off my feet, and he still complained that they didn't fit him after. I almost stabbed him for that, but I thought up a better revenge.

a) What kind of revenge?
b) I don’t want to hurt anybody.
c) Sounds like a jerk.
d) Stabbing sounds pretty good to me.

Wras explains that tomorrow, Mikam is hosting one of his famous birthday parties, and you're all going to crash it and steal a giant kelp statue of Mikam himself - with you and Wras as the distraction.

Wras: If he's taking the kelp outta my mouth, then I'm gonna steal it back.

a) Just the kelp?
b) That sounds difficult.
c) That’s so petty…
d) Yeah! Go theft!

He suggests that you'll probably need a disguise.

Wras: Why don't you get a nice fancy outfit? Show me what you got from all your travels.

Equip 5 pieces of fancy clothing from various sources in order to complete your disguise.

List of Fancy Clothing
Not a Wizard Trinket Common, Uncommon, Alchemy	Idra's Dress Common, Uncommon, Alchemy	Astra's Constellation Dress Common, Uncommon, Alchemy	Carneau's Colonel Cape Common, Uncommon, Alchemy
Celestine's Laced Petticoat Common, Uncommon, Alchemy	Celestine's Laced Umbrella Common, Uncommon, Alchemy	Clione's Shell Earrings Common, Uncommon, Alchemy	Clione's Camisole Common, Uncommon, Alchemy
Xarion's Judicial Cape Common, Uncommon, Alchemy	Xarion's Judicial Coat Common, Uncommon, Alchemy		Xarion's Crown Common, Uncommon, Alchemy

a) I have my disguise.
b) I’ll be back.

Wras: Heh. You look like a regular high society brat in that stupid fancy getup. Makes me glad I can use my own clothes when I'm posing as your servant.

a) Are you sure no one will recognize you?
b) Wait, you’re not even getting in disguise?
c) What do we do next?

Wras mentions offhand that you all need a way to get uptown.

Wras: See any carriages you like? Say the word and we'll take it for a ride.

a) I’m not sure I want to steal anything.
b) I want the red one with four seahorses!
c) I want the one that looks like a seashell.
d) I want the biggest, gaudiest carriage possible.

As the former owner of the carriage chases you, Wras admires the carriage and its snacks.

Wras: Rich people always have tiny snacks wherever they go. I oughta have one of my crew carry some around for me.

a) I’d love having a snack butler myself.
b) Isn’t that a little mean?
c) Can I have some sweets?
d) Try to grab some food for yourself.

The carriage also contains the previous passenger's invitation. Wras informs you that you're impersonating Fifiolo, socialite and amateur romance novelist, and instructs you to act more snooty.

When you arrive, the footman asks how you'd like to be announced.

a) Just call me world-hopper.
b) How dare you not know who I am?
c) Fifiolo, obviously. My name is enough.
d) My servant Wras will speak for me.

Once inside the mansion, you're ambushed by a rich young lady who asks you how you know Mikam.

a) We went to finishing school together.
b) Uh… Around?
c) He’s my cousin’s uncle’s teacher’s friend.
d) I’m actually crashing the party.

As Wras begins sneakily pickpocketing the attendees, Clione spots you.

Clione: World-hopper! I thought I saw you walking by. What are you doing here?

a) I’m attending the party.
b) Why wouldn’t I be here?
c) I’m not the world-hopper.
d) Clione! Hi!

Clione: How do you know Mikam? And... you know that guy behind you's been following you around for the past five minutes, right?

a) That’s my servant.
b) He’s my friend.
c) I don’t know him.

Clione's attention is on Wras, and it's only a matter of time before she realizes who he is. You're going to have to be charming enough to distract her before she blows your cover.

A total of 350 should give you the right level of distraction.

As Clione gossips, Wras beckons you over.

a) Clione, I have to go..
b) Pretend to laugh at Clione’s story.
c) Is that Mikam coming over right now?
d) Slowly back away from Clione.

Wras admonishes you for chatting and asks you if you have any ideas for the distraction you're supposed to cause.

a) Let’s start a food fight.
b) We should release the electric eels.
c) Maybe I could sing a song?

As your distraction commences, the guards begin advancing towards you, and the two of you flee. Wras finds a seahorse and uses it to escape, tossing you a stone whistle as he leaves you behind. The guards begin closing in.

a) Run back the way you came.
b) Try the whistle.
c) Swim after Wras.
d) Beg Wras to save you.

You run through the mansion and make it to the busy kitchen.

a) Try Wras’s whistle.
b) Leap out the window!
c) Try to grab a weapon.
d) Hide in a cabinet.

The guards follow you outside.

a) Try Wras’s whistle again.
b) Swim upwards.
c) Try another of the mansion’s windows.
d) Swim downwards.

A giant shadow appears over you, and it turns out to be Wras to the rescue.

Wras: Looks like you got out of there after all. I almost didn't think you'd make it! Hop on.

a) How did you find me?
b) You abandoned me!
c) Get on the crab.
d) Where did you go?

Wras explains that the chaos you two caused was only half of the distraction, and he actually needed you to distract the guards too.

As he talks, other pirates riding their own giant crabs gather around you, hosting Mikam's giant kelp statue of himself up and away from the mansion. Wras gleefully informs you that they're going to slice it up.

a) That sounds kind of wasteful.
b) So that’s your revenge?
c) Isn’t that unsanitary?
d) Enjoy the ride.

Your escape is successful, and Wras gloats that he also stole several pieces of jewelry and silverware to add insult to injury.

Wras: This is my favorite part of being a pirate, world-hopper. I can do anything I want. The real party starts now, just lie back and bask in the win.

Quest Rewards
Stat Rewards	2,500 Potatoes	+5 Affection with Wras
Item Rewards	Wras' Candy Coins

Wras: The Dastardly Legend

Quest Information
Speak With	Wras
Prerequisites	500 Affection
Description	"Wras asks you to find him, but is acting squirrelish about what he wants."

Full Transcript

Wras stands overlooking his hideout, a contemplative expression on his face. When he spots you approaching, he strikes a dramatic pose, letting his cape flutter out dramatically behind him in the water.

Wras: Sea's cold tonight. When the water's like this... it reminds me of the way the waves were before I had this cloak and my ship to keep me warm. Those days weren't easy.

He strikes another pose, sunlight glinting off the rings on his fingers as he contemplates the mysteries of existence. He seems lost in thought, but you catch him glancing at you from the corner of his eye.

a) Ask Wras about his tragic backstory
b) Leave for now
- Wras: Wait, you're just gonna go?
  - a) Yeah.
    - Wras: Takes me right back. Shattered dreams... Mortal peril... the taste of betrayal. That's eighth grade for you
      - a) Okay I’m ready to listen to your tragic backstory now.
      - b) Sneak away again

Wras: You really wanna know? It's a long, gory tale kid, full of dramatic twists and turns... And I don't think you're ready to hear it. You'll just have to keep wondering.

Wras: Ha! The look on your face! You didn't really think I'd just up and tell you the whole thing, did ya? Since when have I made things that easy for you?

Wras: No, a pirate's gotta keep his secrets. If you wanna know my history, you're gonna have to put the pieces together yourself. I may have let a couple stories slip here and there. Ask around. I'm interested in seeing what you manage to discover.

a) That sounds like way too much work
- Wras: You don't have to go poking into my business if you don't want to, land-lubber. It ain't any business of mine what you do in your free time. I'm giving you a challenge, but you don't have to take it if you're not up to the task.
- Wras: Still, I got a feeling your curiosity's gonna get the better of you.
b) Can’t we just have a normal conversation? (?)
c) Challenge accepted! (?)
d) Um, okay, I guess

Wras: Am I sending you on a wild goose chase for my own amusement? Maybe. But I'm curious about what the word on the street about me is, and, even more than that, I wanna know if you're smart enough to figure out what's fact and what's fiction.

Wras: Who knows? If you do your job well enough, I might even tell you the truth.

It looks like Wras wants you to collect rumors about himself. Maybe you should ask some of the other people you know in town.

a) Visit Olievar.
- You find Olievar tending to their terrarium, carefully scooping rocky substrate with a coral shovel.
- Olievar: You'd like to know about Wras, hmm? Well, you've come to the right place! He's told me so much about his many feats of derring-do. What an impressive man! You know, we're quite alike. I can be a bit of a rascal myself, you know.
- Olievar: Though, er... Wras's stories are rather short on personal information. Once in a while he'll let slip a tantalizing detail, but he always changes the subject immediately after. I think he may be a secret lost prince to some oceanic throne?
- Olievar: That ring on his finger could be a signet ring, a symbol of his birthright! I could very well be wrong, though. I'm not even sure if there's a throne for him to be heir to in Vaer Reef at all.

b) Visit Pyrifera.
- Pyrifera greets you at the door of her apothecary, after seeing off an elderly seahorse.
- Pyrifera: Wras and I were in the same class throughout my entire childhood. The teachers liked to pair us together for projects. I was one of the only children he couldn't convince to get into mischief.
- Pyrifera: That being said, it isn't my place to spread rumors about Wras's personal life. I try not to get involved in his matters, anyway.

c) Visit Clione.
- You find Clione pretty easily, hosting an event in the town square. It takes a while for her to be free to talk, however.
- Clione: Here for gossip, huh? Well, you've come to the right place!
- Clione: Pyri's told me a couple stories about Wras, but they were all about what he was like in school. I'm not sure who his parents are... According to one of my playwright friends, though, he's from an old pirate family.
- Clione: They blend in with normal Vaer Reef citizens, but every full moon they succumb to their piratical urges and plunder the high seas! That's right, Wras could be a were-pirate!
- Clione: Then again, maybe not. I mean, he does seem to be a pirate even when it's not the full moon. And my playwright friend may have been talking about their latest work of fiction.

d) Visit Poe.
- You bamboozled by Poe as she darts past you out of the nearby school gates before she circles back around to hear your question.
- Poe: Oh! I know! There's a rumor that's been going around... Someone told me that Wras might be Judge Xarion's secret son! Or was Judge Xarion that was Wras's secret son?
- Poe: I also heard that he's actually from the surface, like you, but he stole someone else's gills and sewed them onto himself so he could breathe down here. And every month he has to replace them, so if you don't lock your windows he'll come for your gills!
- Poe: I don't really like that story. I pushed my bookshelf against my window so pirates can't sneak inside, and now the water in my room feels kinda musty.

e) Visit Xarion.
- Xarion looks down at you from a pile of tablets at his desk, not too amused with this line of questioning.
- Xarion: Wras. Do you want to know something curious? The courthouse has files on every citizen in Vaer Reef who's ever had a brush with the law. Traffic tickets, petty theft, building code violations... we keep records of everything.
- Xarion: Wras's file is empty. I searched for records of his birth at city hall, and found nothing there, either. As far as the city of Vaer Reef is officially concerned, Wras does not exist.

Return to Wras

Wras is talking to his crew members when you return to him. He's gesturing emphatically with his knife, stabbing at a cloth map unfurled on the table. When he sees you, he rolls the map back up again and dismisses your crew.

Wras: So, what're your conclusions? Who am I? What am I?

a) You’re Xarion’s relative. (?)
b) You’re a prince.
- Wras: Is that one really still going around? Ahhh, I love Olie. They're so gullible. Makes them fun to talk to!
- Wras: You gotta keep 'em guessing, kid. You know how I've stayed at the top of the piratical food chain for so long? Sure, I'm smarter, faster and meaner than any of the bottom feeders out here, but I also got mystique. I've got a legend.
- Wras: If people don't know who you really are, they can't predict you. Can't use your past against you. And the best way to make sure secrets stay buried is to flood the whole town with so much bad information that nobody knows what's what.
- Wras: Why don't you give it a try? Make up a little story about where you're from and what you've done.
c) You’re some kind of ghost or were-pirate. (?)
d) I still don’t know.

Wras: Hmm. Good instincts, kid.

Wras: You gotta keep 'em guessing, kid. You know how I've stayed at the top of the piratical food chain for so long? Sure, I'm smarter, faster and meaner than any of the bottom feeders out here, but I also got mystique. I've got a legend.

Wras: If people don't know who you really are, they can't predict you. Can't use your past against you. And the best way to make sure secrets stay buried is to flood the whole town with so much bad information that nobody knows what's what.

Wras: Why don't you give it a try? Make up a little story about where you're from and what you've done.

a) I had to flee to Vaer Reef because I did a murder.
- Ooh, spooky. You'll have all the little tadpoles shakin' in their boots with that one.
b) Wras… I’m your long lost twin!
- Wras: Ha! I knew I liked you for a reason.
c) I’m the lost heir to Vaer Reef’s ancient throne. (?)
d) Can’t I just tell the truth like a normal person? (?)

Wras: Not bad, guppy. 'Course, you're not on my level of sheer trickery and pizzazz, but who is? Keep it up, and one day you could be a living legend, too.

Wras: This tactic's served me well. If nobody knows a thing about you, your enemies'll dig and dig until they find out all your dirty little secrets. But if you let a few little details slip, here and there, they'll be so busy gobbling them up that they won't notice it's all fake.

Wras: As far as the general populace is concerned, I'm like a ghost. A mean little spirit that comes from nowhere, loves no one and makes sure nothing gets in his way.

a) Is that suppose to be a good thing? (?)
b) What about Pyri? Doesn’t she know you?
- Wras: Hrrrrngh. That little meddler'll keep her mouth shut if she knows what's good for her. Which she does. So there's no problem.
- Wras: Pyri and I... Well, I don't want anyone to find out she used to know me, and she doesn't want that, either. It'd be more trouble than it's worth for her to out me.
c) Awesome. Wras, you’re so cool! (?)
d) That sounds kind of lonely.
- Wras: Lonely? Me? Pfft! Save your pity for the losers who actually get sad and pathetic about not having any widdle fwiends. Who cares about other people when they're at the top? I don't need anyone, you hear?

Wras: I'm where I've always wanted to be. The past doesn't matter anymore, 'cause I'm looking forward. Although...

Wras sends you a sidelong glance, then looks away, avoiding eye contact. He tilts his chin up proudly, not a single trace of vulnerability in his sly little grin.

Wras: I've always wondered what it'd be like to find the one person I could actually trust with the real truth. It'd have to be someone who's loyal to me, without reservations. Someone smart and tough enough to keep the secret. Someone... who asked very nicely.

a) Do you think I could be that person?
- Wras: Who knows? Well... I do. Gyahaha! Why don't we take a walk, world-hopper? Maybe we'll swing by some of my old haunts.
  - a) Follow Wras.
  - Wras takes you on a meandering swim, through narrow alleys and above market stall rooftops. Finally, he slows outside the clock tower, gazing up at the tall spire that casts a long shadow over the city.
  - Wras: Would you believe me if I told you that I spent my early days trapped in that tower? Stolen from my aristocratic family at birth, raised as a child assassin, my only friend a killer kraken that turned invisible in daylight?
    - a) Um, that's obviously fake, so... (?)
    - b) If you said it's the truth, i'd trust you. (?)
    - c) Do you want me to believe you?
      - Wras: What, are you just going to do whatever I want just to appease me? Come on. You have your own opinion, don't you?
      - Wras: Whatever. It doesn't matter, I... Maybe we shouldn't have come here.
    - d) I've seen weirder things happen. (?)
b) Sounds like you really want to share your history. (?)
c) Oh, huh. Good luck with that.
- Wras: You know what? I don't need your luck. I'll find the right person on my own, same way I do everything!
d) What happened to being an invulnerable enigma?
- Wras: Obviously, I still am! Letting one person know the real me wouldn't change that, if they were trustworthy enough to never betray me. Looks like I haven't found the right one yet.

It looks like you made Wras angry at you. If you want to continue the conversation, you'll have to raise his affection a little to calm him down. Five affection should be enough.

Gain 5 affection with Wras

Wras: Yeah, I think I could have a real good talk with someone I trusted. Too bad that's not you!

a) See if he’s calmed down yet. (Increased 5/5 times)
b) Come back later

Wras: It's not like I'm looking for someone to confide in or anything. Just that if the right person comes along, I don't mind having a chat.

Do you think I could be that person?

Wras: Who knows? Well... I do. Gyahaha! Why don't we take a walk, world-hopper? Maybe we'll swing by some of my old haunts.

Follow Wras

Wras takes you on a meandering swim, through narrow alleys and above market stall rooftops. Finally, he slows outside the clock tower, gazing up at the tall spire that casts a long shadow over the city.

Wras: Would you believe me if I told you that I spent my early days trapped in that tower? Stolen from my aristocratic family at birth, raised as a child assassin, my only friend a killer kraken that turned invisible in daylight?

a) Um, that’s obviously fake, so… (?)
b) If you said it’s the truth, I’d trust you.
- Wras: No, you wouldn't. Don't flatter me, world-hopper. We wouldn't be friends if you followed me without thinking like all the rest of the small fry that hang around.
c) Do you want me to believe you?
- Wras: What, are you just going to do whatever I want just to appease me? Come on. You have your own opinion, don't you?
d) I’ve seen weirder things happen. (?)

Wras: Whatever. It doesn't matter, I... Maybe we shouldn't have come here.

Wras: I just... agh. Nope. Let's do this later. I'm not in the mood anymore.

It looks like Wras is upset. Maybe if you raise your charm a little, he'll be swayed to tell you why. Gain 1 charm.

a) Are you still upset? (Increased 1/1 Times)
b) Come back later

Wras: Yeah, okay, I may have blown up at you earlier. Not that I'm apologizing! Being a pirate means never having to say sorry. There's a point bringing you to come see the clock tower. Promise.

You and Wras swim partway up the clock tower to a platform that hangs over the side. You can see the entire plaza from up here. From this perspective, the tower is a giant sundial, number patterns worked into the colored cobblestones of the street below.

Wras: I may not have grown up here, but I did get dared to swim to the top when I was little. Standard kid stuff. Challenges, tests of courage... back then we competed over how high up we could get before we gave up and had to float our way back down.

Wras: Everyone on the playground said that the top of the tower was haunted, or maybe there was treasure. You know how it is. Someone's big sister makes something up one time, and suddenly it's local legend. I was obsessed with being the first to make it up there and find out.

Wras: Then I did, and guess what I found?

a) Treasure?
- Wras: Ha! I wish.
b) A ghost? (?)
c) An actual secret child assassin? (?)
d) I don’t think there’d be anything up there.
- Wras: Got it in one. Pretty easy conclusion to make when you're an adult.

Wras: I spent a whole year trying to swim up there, and when I did, I found nothing. Just an empty room with some trash and old clock parts. How's that for an anticlimax?

Wras: This whole town is like that. Everything looks so full of potential and adventure from the outside, but when you get close, it's boring all the way down. And to tell you the truth, I ain't exactly an exception.

Wras: Come on. I've been puttin' it off long enough.

Go with Wras

Wras's usual bombastic personality gets more and more subdued as the two of you swim off into Vaer Reef's suburbs. He keeps himself far enough in front of you that conversation is impossible.

Eventually, the two of you stop at a house that looks a lot like Poe's. You're close to Pyrifera's neighborhood, but this house is much nicer than hers, with neatly trimmed coral hedges instead of a shabby kelp fence and little windowboxes filled with pretty anemones.

There's a woman reading a book in the living room. You're not sure if she sees you, but a few moments after you and Wras perch yourself on the rooftop of the house across the street, you notice that the curtains in the windows have closed.

Wras kicks a pebble off the roof, nervously twisting one of the rings on his fingers. His shoulders are so hunched that he's almost curling in on himself. Without his usual bombastic presence, he looks almost small.

a) Are you okay?
b) Where are we?
c) Nice house. (?)
d) Wait for him to say something.

Wras: Haven't been here in a while. Years, probably. This place always makes me feel so…

Wras trails off, his leg bouncing anxiously against the roof's tiles. It looks like he can't bring himself to talk. Maybe he'll feel more comfortable with you if leave him be for a while and play with your pet instead.

Play with your pet twice.

a) See if Wras is ready to talk yet. (Interacted 2/2 Times)
b) Come back later.

Wras: Don't know what it is about that house, but being back here makes me feel like I never left. That's the house I grew up in. That front garden is the one I spent hours weeding growing up, and that woman in there, pretending we're not just across the street? Yeah, that's my mother.

Wras: We see each other at the market sometimes, you know? We don't go near each other. Don't look at each other. When they notice me it's like they pretend that I'm air.

Wras: Whatever. Not like I want to talk to them anyway. I don't need them in my life. All they ever do is nag and complain until everyone else is just as boring as they are.

Wras: What am I missing out on, anyway? Constant reminders that nothing I do will ever be good enough? Stories about my perfect brother's life as a miserable sellout? Yeah, I'd rather not.

a) You have a brother?
- Wras: Huh? Yeah. He used to be cool. We'd run around town together, getting into all kinds of trouble. Then as he got older, well... My parents got to him. He chickened out. He's a clerk for the city now, or something.
b) But they’re your parents… (?)
c) You’re allowed to be upset, you know.
- Wras: I'm not upset!
- Wras: ...Okay, maybe I do have a tiny bit of a grudge.
d) Sounds like a tough time.
- Wras: Ha. You have no idea.

Wras: Anyway. I'm over it. I was the one who left them behind. I always said I'd get out of this two-bit town. Show all the hypocrites in my family what they're missing and leave all those nobodies down there behind. And I did.

a) Where did you go?
b) Why couldn’t you stay?
c) You’re back here now, aren’t you? (?)
d) See what Wras has to say.

Wras: I signed up with one of the old-school pirate crews. Real tough barracudas. They used to scythe through the water like predators, you know? They took everything they wanted and left nothing behind.

Wras: Between the seas and Xarion, most of the real ruthless joints from back then are out of commission now, but when I was a kid? They were at their peak. We went all over the oceans. Even you wouldn't have lasted a second at some of the places I've been.

a) What was it like out there?
b) Why did you come back to Vaer Reef?
c) That sounds horrible. (?)
d) That sounds awesome!
- Wras: Heh. You remind me a little bit of myself, kid. Just as enthusiastic... and just as wrong.

Wras: There are monsters down in the trenches that make sea beasts look like little guppies. Out in the Wastes, odds are at any moment you'll swim into a cave where the very water you breathe is poison. You ever been to Typhoon Bay?

Wras: Pirates there are different. See, I only sink ships if I gotta. It's bad for business. If the oceans are too dangerous, the traders won't come. Typhoon Bay, though... they do it for fun. There's a saying there that you ain't really grown till you've drowned your first man.

Wras: I kept hanging on out there, for a while. I survived, but sooner or later you get tired of fighting for your life every waking second, and I... It was getting harder with every near miss. I felt like I was gonna die out there.

Wras stares at his old house, eyes fixed on the closed curtains in every window. You see a shadow moving in one of the upstairs bedrooms. The curtains twitch, as if someone's peeking out to see if he's still there.

Wras: So I ran back to Vaer Reef, and I went to see my parents. I had my ship, I had my crew. I was gonna come back and give 'em some money. Show 'em how much I'd grown. I had a whole sack of treasure, and... they didn't even let me in the door.

Wras: Not that I care or anything! I only came back to rub it in their faces that I made it big. They always said I'd end up dead in a ditch someday, and I proved that I wasn't just a local loser, didn't I? I'm richer than any of 'em could ever imagine!

Wras: Thought they'd be happy I didn't destroy my own life like they always expected, but I guess they were just mad I proved them wrong.

a) That’s awful.
- Wras: It was a long time ago.
b) I would’ve punched ‘em right in the face! (?)
c) I mean, you are a pirate… (?)
d) Family is complicated.

Reward: gem studded ring

Wras kicks off the roof and swims away, climbing high above the city with ease. Your calves burn as you try to keep up with Wras's relentless pace. It feels like he's going to go all the way to the surface, but he stops halfway and drifts, only kicking once in a while to maintain altitude.

Wras: See this ring? It used to be my mother's. It ain't exactly a heirloom, though. More like a cheap piece of mass-produced garbage. If you showed it to her now, she probably wouldn't remember ever giving it to me.

Wras: I don't know if any of my family remember me at all. Dunno if I want them to, either. You wanna know why I make up all that crap about my past? It's 'cause I'm like this ring. Like that clock tower.

Wras: I made myself into someone that's all shiny on the outside, but behind all that is a stupid little nobody of a kid trying to get attention in all the wrong ways. And you know what? I'm ready to let him go.

Wras: I want you to turn this ring into one of your pets. You can do that, can't ya? I mean, you gotta be good for something, anyway.

Wras: I must've been around thirteen. I was just getting big into jewelry and all sorts of shiny things, and Pa thought I was wasting my time. I talked their ears off so much about gems and metals that Ma said she'd give me her ring if I gave them a little bit of silence.

Hatch Wras’ gem studded ring

a) I hatched Wras’ ring. (Hatched 1/1 Times)
b) I’ll be back.
- Wras: I must've been around thirteen. I was just getting big into jewelry and all sorts of shiny things, and Pa thought I was wasting my time. I talked their ears off so much about gems and metals that Ma said she'd give me her ring if I gave them a little bit of silence.
- Wras: You know, Pa always made the most constipated face whenever Pyri came over for school projects? It's not like we were friends or anything, but I had her over to eat the snacks out of my pantry a couple times just to see him try not to choke on his snobbiness.
  - a) I hatched Wras’ ring. (Hatched 1/1 Times)
  - b) I’ll be back.

Wras: Huh. It used to just be a bit of tin and fake crystal, but that ring looks almost beautiful now. I'm glad it's off my finger now. Wasn't doing anything there but weighing me down.

Wras: My past is always gonna be a part of me, but... It's alive, isn't it? Every day that goes by adds a little bit more to my history, and pretty soon I'll have had more days as the man I am now than I ever did as the boy I was before.

Wras: You should keep the pet, world-hopper. I know I talk a big game about not needing anyone, and I still don't need you, but I want you around. You're the least awful thing about this town, and I... I trust you. Or whatever.

Wras: You're tough, you're loyal, and you don't take my crap. I wanted to tell you about my past, because I want you to be a part of my future. Friends?

a) You know it.
b) As if.
- Wras: Gyahahahaha! See, now that's why I like you.

Wras holds out his fist to you, and you bump it with your own. With a jaunty wave goodbye, he swims down into the city. Wras's form disappears into its depths, but he leaves your new pet behind - a little part of him, staying by your side.

Complete quest.

Here will be the condensed version of the quest

Quest Rewards
Stat Rewards	6,000 Potatoes	+3 Affection with Wras
Item Rewards	Wras' Treasure Grove	Wras' Highlighted Hairstyle
Item Rewards	Wras' Totem	Wras' Fancy Cobalt Tailcoat

Xarion: A Trial of Suspicion

Quest Information
Speak With	Xarion
Prerequisites	Main Quest: The Great Festival
Description	"Xarion requires your help in solving a crime."

Full Transcript

When you visit Xarion at the courthouse, his receptionist tells you that you already have an appointment, and you're allowed to skip the line and walk directly into the courthouse's hallowed halls. Xarion's crew pause their conversations when they see you. As you pass by, you vaguely recognize some of them from the feast, but they all seem to recognize you without fail. Some even quietly remark to each other that you're the one that was chosen by Vaer himself. You find Xarion frowning at documents in his office. He looks up when you enter, gesturing to the chair in front of his desk.

Xarion: World-hopper. Please, sit.

a) Hi, Xarion.
b) Sit down.
c) I don’t remember making an appointment.
- Xarion: That's because you didn't. My office overlooks the street outside. I saw you walking towards the courthouse five minutes ago and told my administrative staff to put you on today's schedule.
  - a) I could’ve been going somewhere else.
    - Xarion: Perhaps, but based on your previous patterns of behavior, I thought a visit was more likely.
  - b) Accept Xarion’s explanation and sit.
d) Hope you aren’t too busy.
- Xarion: No more or less than I always am.

Xarion: It's fortunate that you came to visit today. I have a case that may benefit from your... particular perspective. Last night, the Vaer Reef Public Museum hosted a gala to celebrate their restoration of a priceless cultural artifact. It was put on display for the museums' patrons for the event, but at some point during the night, it disappeared. I'd like your assistance untangling the details of the case. According to my top Vaer's Justice officials, their primary suspect is the person last seen with the sculpture, a surfacer like you.

a) Wait… Olie?
- Xarion: As I suspected. If you know this Olievar, you should come along for the investigation. We may need a character witness before this all ends.
b) Sounds suspicious.
- Xarion: Our suspect's name is Olievar. If my memory is correct, the two of you are already acquainted.
c) I didn’t do it!
- Xarion dismisses your outburst with a wave of his hand and a flat, unamused glare.
- Xarion: Why would you be a suspect? To my knowledge, you were nowhere near last night's gala. Unless, of course, there's something you want to tell me. Our suspect's name is Olievar. If my memory is correct, the two of you are already acquainted.

Xarion: Something's strange about this incident, and I intend to find out what. Will you assist?

a) Yes, I’ll help.
b) I’m busy right now.
- Hmph. No sense of urgency. Well, it'll take time to interview all the witnesses. We may still be at work by the time you decide you'll deign to assist.
  - a) Leave for now.
    - When you return, Xarion is conferring quietly with his team, a couple of fish with oar-like fins.
    - a) I'm willing to help with your case now.
    - b) Head back out.
  - b) I’m willing to help with your case now.

Xarion: Ordinarily, anyone involved with legal proceedings like these has to undergo years of training and study. Since you're only acting as a consultant, however, I think we can get away with an afternoon's worth of coursework.

Xarion takes a spiral seashell from the shelf behind his desk and places it gently in front of you.

Xarion: Put this to your ear.

a) What is it?
- Xarion: It's a record of Vaer Reef legal codes. I've tuned it to the section on theft and larceny. (repeats)
b) Hold the shell up to your ear.
- Instead of hearing the roar of the sea, you hear a calm, steady voice reciting the penalties for various degrees of petty theft.

Xarion: Study the law until you can comprehend everything. I'll prep our witnesses for interviews. Usually, legal professionals are required to receive the three blessings of Vaer... and also pass a standardized licensing test. Good thing I can hire consultants at my discretion.

It looks like you'll need more Comprehension before Xarion thinks you're ready to help. Gain 7 comprehension.

The voice in the shell has moved on to how to determine the difference between larceny and grand larceny, droning on in a soothing monotone that almost lulls you to sleep.

a) I think I’ve learned enough now. (Increased 7/7 Times)
b) I’ll be ready soon…

You try to tell Xarion that you've learned all that you need to about Vaer Reef's complicated legal system, but he's nowhere to be found.

Instead, a Vaer's Justice member ushers you through the courthouse's labyrinth of corridors. They finally deposit you inside an anonymous gray waiting room, packed full of people on rows of uncomfortable benches.

a) Look around the room.
- It's almost aggressively boring, with no decoration except for a very simple carving of a shark on the left wall. The benches are gray, the walls are gray and the floor is gray. A podium at the front of the room is also gray.
b) Look at the people waiting.
- Most of them are out of place in such a drab environment. They're in bright, finely-made clothing, scales polished to a shimmer and covered in fancy jewelry. These must be the gala guests, Vaer Reef's elite.
c) Find Xarion.
- Xarion is stepping out of a small door at the front, flanked by a Vaer's Justice official and an octopus with golden bangles on every limb. He spots you almost immediately and motions for you to come over with a discreet tilt of his head.
d) Find Olievar.
- You scan the crowd until you spot the telltale gleam of Olievar's helmet.
- Olievar: World-Hopper! I didn't expect to see you here. Isn't it fascinating to see Vaer Reef's legal system operate? Not under the best circumstances, I'll admit, but interesting nonetheless.

Xarion steps up to a raised platform at the center of the room, banging his gavel against the podium.

Xarion: Witness 32, report to interview room B. I repeat: Witness 32, please report to interview room B. World-hopper, you as well.

Olievar stands up from their bench, squeezing past several people in their row before they remember that they can swim up and over to Xarion instead. Once you're all in the interview room, Xarion has you sit on one side of a small table and Olie on the other. He sits at the head of the table between you both, with a clay tablet and stylus readied for taking notes.

a) Smile encouragingly at Olie.
- Olie catches your eye and relaxes a little, letting some of the tension out of their shoulders.
b) Give Olie a stern look.
- Faced with two somber expressions, Olie wilts, hunching their shoulders to try and appear as small as possible.
c) Tell us everything! Now!
- Xarion: World-hopper, please attempt to restrain yourself. You don't want to intimidate our witness.
d) Wait, what are we doing again?
- Xarion sighs so deeply that a bubble of air the size of your fist rises from his mouth.
- Xarion: We're interviewing everyone who was at the museum the night the Stone Seaweed was stolen so we may begin to construct a timeline of the case.

Xarion: Please begin with your testimony, starting at why you went to the museum that night.

Olievar: I'm friends with one of the curators. We speak sometimes about the differences between Vaer Reef's history and the surface's, and they invited me to be one of the first to see the Stone Seaweed restored. Such a fascinating sculpture! It's all carved from a single piece of green stone, with such realism that I dare say if you put it on the buffet table we'd have people trying to eat it.

Xarion: Olievar, I know what the Stone Seaweed is. What I don't know is what happened the night it went missing. Please try to stay on track.

a) I want to hear more about the Seaweed.
- Olievar: Er, it is Judge Xarion's cultural heritage, so I'm sure he could describe it far better than I...
- Xarion: Your explanation has been adequate so far. Continue.
- Olievar: Right. Well, the Stone Seaweed was carved nearly six hundred years ago, but with such advanced techniques that it's used as proof of that era's high level of artistic skill. It's also Vaer Reef's first example of, and some theorize possibly the beginning of, the Aesthetic Movement, where artisans began to move past purely religious iconography to begin creating for pleasure.
- Xarion: The artifact's value is priceless, but that doesn't mean there aren't countless potential buyers for it on the black market. And once it disappears into a wealthy collector's vault, the citizens of Vaer Reef will have lost a vital part of our history.
b) Listen to the rest of Olie’s testimony.

Olievar: That night... I know how stressed the curators have been, so I arrived a little early and offered my assistance setting up.

Xarion: Which also gave you a thorough knowledge of the exhibit's layout and security protocols.

Olievar: Well, yes, but...

Xarion: Continue your testimony, please.

Olievar: There's not much to tell. I looked at all the exhibits, took a plate of miniature kebabs from the catering tables, then returned to the artifact room.

Xarion: Reports from other witnesses said that you lingered near the Stone all night, even after everyone else left to watch Clione's performance. You could've easily stolen it then.

Olievar: I didn't! I mean, I did stay there, but...

Olievar trails off, helmet venting air bubbles at an alarming rate when they make eye contact with Xarion. His expression is deliberately blank, but something about his emotionless neutrality is more intimidating than any glare.

a) Quit being so mean to Olie!
- Xarion: My job is to discover the truth and enforce the laws of our community. If that makes me mean, so be it. Would you have me let criminals run free for the sake of civility?
b) It’s okay. You can tell us.
- Your reassurance seems to calm Olie down. They face Xarion with only the slightest trace of their original nerves.
c) Why did you stay? Tell us now!
d) See what Olie says next.

Olievar: I didn't watch the performance because I've already seen it before. Sometimes we meet up for her to practice her routines while I talk about my research. She says the white noise helps her focus, and admittedly I'm not looking for an attentive audience so much as a way to think aloud. The only part I hadn't already seen was the special effects, which is why I did leave, eventually, to catch Clione's grand finale. The sculpture must've been stolen then.

a) See? Olie’s innocent!
b) Hmm… suspicious.
c) See if Xarion believed them.

Xarion: Can you describe the portion of Clione's performance you did see?

Olievar: Well... I didn't have a very good view of the performance. The giant cake from the buffet table was blocking my sightline. All I could see was the top of Clione's head and the giant cloud of ink she had those squids spray at the finale.

Xarion: Interesting. In my team's description of the crime scene, they reported that the cake had been completely consumed. That was only half an hour after Clione's finale. Since you can't describe the performance you supposedly watched, and your claim is that your vision was blocked by a mysteriously disappearing cake, you can see why it seems like you didn't leave the artifact room at all.

Olie tries to respond, their eyes darting around the room in trapped panic before they give up, turning to you for one last impassioned plea.

Olievar: Look, I understand that this all sounds incredibly suspicious, but I didn't steal that statue! I... Honestly, what would I even do with it? I'm a botanist, not a historian. Sure, the Stone Seaweed is pretty, but not so interesting that I'd be persuaded to commit crime. I prefer my plants living, thank you very much. Er, not that it isn't... I don't mean to insult your heritage. I'm only saying that since it's not as significant culturally to me, there's no reason for me to steal it. World-hopper, you know me. Do you think I could really steal that statue?

a) No.
- Comforted by your defense of their character, Olie sits a little taller.
b) Yes.
- Olie sucks in a breath, flinching a little at your response. They nod once, jerkily, and look away.
c) I don’t know anymore.
- Olie sucks in a breath, flinching a little at your response. They nod once, jerkily, and look away.
d) Avoid eye contact.
- Olie sucks in a breath, flinching a little at your response. They nod once, jerkily, and look away.

Xarion: I think we've heard enough. Thank you for your testimony, Olievar. We may need to speak with you again, but you're free to go for now.

Olie leaves, glancing nervously back at Xarion before they slip out the door. Xarion sighs, drumming his fingers against the table in thought.

Xarion: I was hoping your familiarity with Olievar would put them more at ease, but they seemed unsettled nonetheless. It's too soon to tell if they're nervous because of the situation or out of genuine guilt.

a) Olie’s innocent.
- Xarion: I'll take your testimony into consideration, but I can't clear them merely based on your opinion.
b) Who are we talking to next?
- Xarion: Another of your acquaintances, as a matter of fact.
c) Do you think they’re guilty?
- Xarion: What I think doesn't matter. I cannot allow personal bias to color my conclusions. That being said... Olievar wouldn't have the contacts to sell the sculpture, and I believe them when they say they're not interested in keeping it.

You don't have any more time for discussion. The door swings open as your next witness walks in.

Clione: Xarion! So lovely to see you again! How have you been? When was the last time we spoke, at the community theater? Have your investigations been running smoothly?

Xarion: I've been well, yes it was and we're about to find out. Let us dispense with the pleasantries, Clione.

Clione: Fine, but if you're short on time, I have to say you're wasting it on me. Theater lights are blinding, Judge. I couldn't see anything but the stage. I arrived with the cast and crew, we performed, and then they found out the Stone Seaweed was stolen before I even had the chance to get a peek.

a) There must have been more.
b) Clione’s right. We’re wasting our time here.
c) Stare in silence and see if she says more.

Clione: There are so many other people you could be asking. Like Councilor Brota! He lost half his fortune on his latest business venture. He could use the money. I know the Vaer Reef Heritage Foundation has been complaining about having the Stone Seaweed open to the grubby public instead of locked up in their vaults. They could've staged a theft to make a point. And... And come to think of it, Dean Edrisalen was wearing a statement hat huge enough to smuggle a statue in. What if that was her plan? I don't know any other reason for someone to don a hat that ugly. If you actually want to do your job, they're the ones you should be talking to. Are we finished here?

Xarion: You may go.

Clione sweeps out of the room with a haughty toss of her tail. Xarion stays seated, staring at the closed door.

Xarion: I want you to follow her.

a) What? Why?
b) Uh, sure, I guess.
c) An undercover mission? Nice!
d) I can’t spy on my friend!
- Xarion: Even if it might keep your other friend out of trouble? I'm not asking you to betray her, world-hopper. Just... observe.

Xarion: Clione's hiding something, and she's hostile to the very idea of telling me. You do odd jobs for her sometimes, don't you? That gives you a reason to hang around and see if she'll open up to you. If you don't find anything even after doing five of her daily tasks, we'll try another course of action.

Help Clione with 5 of her daily errands to find any clues in her behaviour.

I’ll be back.

Clione's acting more on edge than usual, gazing off into the distance instead of trying to make conversation.

Clione: Xarion is so frustrating sometimes! Every time we talk, I use all my charm to try and have a nice conversation, and you know what? Never works. Even though I've known him for years!

a) Notice something about Clione. (Quested 5/5 Times)
b) I’ll be back.

Your patience is rewarded when, thinking that you're busy with yet another one of her tasks, Clione furtively looks around and slips out the back way. You follow her to the overgrown kelp patch where you first met her and Pyri. This time, they're whispering, heads bent close together, and you can only hear fragments of their conversation.

Pyrifera: ...be fine... don't have to...

Clione: Xarion doesn't... won't let...

Pyri shakes her head, her long bangs swooshing around her. Clione grabs Pyri's hands in hers and squeezes them tight, trying to reassure Pyri in a voice that gets louder with each word.

Clione: Let me handle Xarion, okay? I'll find a dozen other suspects. Vaer's sake, if that's what it takes, I'll solve the case myself! Nobody ever has to know you were there.

a) What?
- Clione and Pyri jump away from each other. Clione assumes what you think is supposed to be a battle stance, while Pyri tries to block your view of Clione with her own body.
- Pyrifera: You heard everything, didn't you? Don't blame Clione. She's just trying to protect me. That's... her only mistake.
- Clione: Don't talk like that, Pyri! I've made tons of mistakes and you're not one of them! As for you, world-hopper, you better back off. Pyri's innocent, okay?
  - i) Okay. I'll keep your secret.
    - Xarion: You won't have to.
    - Xarion emerges from the kelp, his eyes sweeping over all of you with a dour glare.
    - Xarion: World-hopper, I'm very disappointed in you. Clione, Pyrifera, clearly your conspiracy to hide Pyrifera's presence has failed. The two of you have a lot of explaining to do. And quickly.
  - ii) If she's innocent she should talk to Xarion.
    - Pyrifera: Maybe we should. If he finds out, he'll blame you for hiding me.
    - Clione: No way. The judge is a fair man, but I don't trust him enough to risk your safety on it. This could mean trouble for the rest of your life, Pyri!
    - a) Okay. I'll keep your secret.
    - b) You might not trust him enough, but do you trust me?
      - Clione takes Pyri aside for a conversation of rapid, hushed whispers, and returns sighing in defeat.
      - Clione: Vaer help us, we do. Don't make me regret it.
      - You pass on a message to the nearest on-duty official you can find, and Xarion shows up surprisingly quickly for someone whose offices are halfway across town.
      - Xarion: Thank you for coming forward. It couldn't have been easy, but you can rest assured knowing I'll review your testimony with the utmost objectivity.
    - c) It's Pyri's choice, not yours.
      - Clione: ...I know. But I'm coming with you!
      - You pass on a message to the nearest on-duty official you can find, and Xarion shows up surprisingly quickly for someone whose offices are halfway across town.
      - Xarion: Thank you for coming forward. It couldn't have been easy, but you can rest assured knowing I'll review your testimony with the utmost objectivity.
    - d) I'll turn you in myself.
b) Clione! How could you?
- Clione and Pyri jump away from each other. Clione assumes what you think is supposed to be a battle stance, while Pyri tries to block your view of Clione with her own body.
- Pyrifera: You heard everything, didn't you? Don't blame Clione. She's just trying to protect me. That's... her only mistake.
- Clione: Don't talk like that, Pyri! I've made tons of mistakes and you're not one of them! As for you, world-hopper, you better back off. Pyri's innocent, okay?
  - i) Okay. I'll keep your secret.
  - ii) If she's innocent she should talk to Xarion.
    - Pyrifera: Maybe we should. If he finds out, he'll blame you for hiding me.
    - Clione: No way. The judge is a fair man, but I don't trust him enough to risk your safety on it. This could mean trouble for the rest of your life, Pyri!
      - a) Okay. I'll keep your secret.
      - b) You might not trust him enough, but do you trust me?
        Clione takes Pyri aside for a conversation of rapid, hushed whispers, and returns sighing in defeat.
        
        Clione: Vaer help us, we do. Don't make me regret it.
        
        You pass on a message to the nearest on-duty official you can find, and Xarion shows up surprisingly quickly for someone whose offices are halfway across town.
        
        Xarion: Thank you for coming forward. It couldn't have been easy, but you can rest assured knowing I'll review your testimony with the utmost objectivity.
      - c) It's Pyri's choice, not yours.
        Clione: ...I know. But I'm coming with you!
        
        You pass on a message to the nearest on-duty official you can find, and Xarion shows up surprisingly quickly for someone whose offices are halfway across town.
        
        Xarion: Thank you for coming forward. It couldn't have been easy, but you can rest assured knowing I'll review your testimony with the utmost objectivity.
      - d) I'll turn you in myself.
c) Keep hiding and see what else you can discover.
- Clione and Pyri continue to whisper. You can't hear anything at all until they're both interrupted by a golden-robed figure emerging from the kelp.
- Clione: Xarion! You followed me?
- Xarion: The world-hopper followed you. I simply followed the world-hopper.
- He takes his time walking over, looking at each one of you in slow, silent appraisal. Pyrifera shrinks under his gaze. Clione shivers for a half-second before she manages to hide her nerves.
- Xarion: Now, I think at least one of you has something to tell me.

Clione's nervous under Xarion's scrutiny, but she sneaks a secret, tender glance at Pyri when she thinks no one's looking, and that seems to harden her resolve. She swims up to Xarion with a decisive flick of her tail.

Clione: I did it! I stole the Stone Seaweed.

Pyrifera: Clione, no! She didn't. She couldn't have. She was onstage all night.

Xarion: Is that so, Clione? What did you do with the artifact once you allegedly procured it?

Clione: I... ate it.

Xarion: You what?

Clione lifts her chin, committing to her story with a brazen confidence.

Clione: I was very hungry, especially after that rude caterer said I couldn't eat any of the cake, even though it was huge! Then I saw the Stone Seaweed, so I took a bite. Many bites.

Pyrifera: No, she didn't. If she'd really bit into the stone, she would've broken all her teeth.

Clione: Stop interrupting my confession!

Pyrifera: I won't stop!

Pyrifera: Clione... Don't do this for me. Please.

Clione and Pyri lock eyes for a long moment, and Clione's the first to look away. Satisfied, Pyri begins her testimony alone.

Pyrifera: I was there that night. The performance... I came to see Clione, and she let me watch from backstage. She told me to wait in the artifact room while she talked to her fans. When I got there, the Stone Seaweed was already gone. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful. You probably think I stole it... I don't have any evidence to prove I didn't. It makes sense. I look suspicious. I was alone in the room with no witnesses. And I'm not well off, so that's... a motive.

Clione: Are you trying to incriminate yourself? You're making Xarion's arguments for him! Don't listen to her. If she really wanted to steal something, stealing from me would've been way easier. I'd let her take anything she wanted!

Xarion: Pyrifera, when you discovered the artifact missing, why didn't you raise the alarm?

Pyrifera: It was the end of the party. I thought they'd already put it in storage.

Xarion: The gala was supposed to continue long after Clione's performance. They wouldn't have put the main attraction away until the early hours of the morning.

Pyrifera: Oh. I don't really know how parties are supposed to work. I'm... never invited. Except this time, and look how that went. You can see the service hallways from backstage, and people were putting the buffet away, so I thought...

Xarion: Do you recall what food they were carrying?

Pyrifera: Ah. A... cake?

Xarion: I see. The situation is swiftly becoming clear. World-hopper, your opinion?

a) Olie did it!
b) Clione did it!
c) Pyri did it!
d) They’re all innocent!

Xarion: Among our three major suspects, Olievar lacks a motive, Clione lacked the opportunity, and only Pyrifera would appear to have both.

a) But she’s innocent!
b) Objection!
- Xarion: World-hopper, this is not a courtroom. You are not a lawyer. All the same, overruled.
c) So Pyri’s the guilty one?
d) I don’t know about this...

Xarion: However, it would be a mistake to think the three of them are our only suspects. Olievar left the artifact room before Clione's grand finale, and Pyrifera didn't enter it until afterwards. In between we have a section of time when anyone could've stolen our sculpture, using Clione's performance as a distraction. What's more, there's one major detail that doesn't add up...

a) The disappearing cake that blocked Olie’s view?
- Xarion: Precisely.
b) Why Pyri saw people taking the buffet away?
- Xarion: Precisely.
c) The caterer who wouldn’t let Clione eat?
- Xarion: Precisely.
d) What was it?

Xarion: Olievar reported seeing a giant cake that seemingly disappeared with the Stone Seaweed, and Pyrifera saw people taking that same cake into the service corridors, exactly during our thief's window of opportunity. Earlier, someone prevented Clione from taking a slice of that cake, perhaps because then she'd discover a hollow section large enough to hide our statue. Clione, this caterer you complained about... What did they look like?

Clione: I... I didn't pay a lot of attention. They were wearing the uniform, so they had a big white hat... Two arms, two legs. Kind of a weird smile. Rainbow fins.

Xarion's face darkens, his fingers gripping white-knuckled at his gavel. He spits out a single word in a voice filled with utter loathing.

Xarion: Wras. Clione, Pyrifera, you're free to go. We've found our real suspect.

a) What makes you so sure it’s Wras?
- Xarion: Aside from Clione's description? This crime fits his profile exactly. I'll bet he jumped at the chance to steal a priceless treasure out from under the nose of an entire party.
b) I’m glad it wasn’t Clione, Pyri or Olie.
- Xarion: If I've learned anything in my years as a judge, it's that you can never fully know another person's true character. Be glad your faith in them wasn't tested today.
c) We did it! We solved the case!
d) Of course it’s Wras. It’s always Wras.
- Xarion: He does seem to commit an alarmingly high number of crimes. I wonder if he sleeps well at night knowing he amount of turmoil he's caused for others.

Xarion: Good work today, world-hopper. I admit, I asked for your assistance merely hoping that you'd put your acquaintances at ease, but you exceeded my expectations. You uncovered secrets, asked the right questions, and together, we found the truth.

Xarion smiles and claps you on the shoulder, handing you a sack of sea spuds for your day's wages.

Xarion: You proved yourself, and I'm... proud of you, I suppose. This job isn't easy. You often see the worst of Vaer Reef, and every day you know that your decisions could mean falsely punishing the innocent or letting the guilty walk free. It's good to know that in the right circumstances, with dedicated enough investigators, if everyone does their job as they should... Justice will ultimately prevail in the end.

Rewards: Xarion's Scale Cake, 2000 Potatoes, +5 Affection with Xarion

You find Xarion frowning at documents in his office. He looks up when you enter, gesturing to the chair in front of his desk.

Xarion: World-hopper. Please, sit.

a) Hi, Xarion.
b) Sit down.
c) I don’t remember making an appointment.
d) Hope you aren’t too busy.

Xarion mentions that last night, a priceless artifact was stolen from a gala.

Xarion: According to my top Vaer's Justice officials, their primary suspect is the person last seen with the sculpture, a surfacer like you.

a) Wait… Olie?
b) Sounds suspicious.
c) I didn’t do it!

Xarion: Something's strange about this incident, and I intend to find out what. Will you assist?

a) Yes, I’ll help.
b) I’m busy right now.

He hands you a seashell.

Xarion: Put this to your ear.

a) What is it?
b) Hold the shell up to your ear.

Xarion mentions that you'll have to brush up on some Vaer Reef legal codes.

Gain 7 .

a) I think I’ve learned enough now. (Increased 7/7 Times)
b) I’ll be ready soon…

You can't find Xarion once you finish, but you get sent to a boring waiting room, where you find Olievar.

a) Look around the room.
b) Look at the people waiting.
c) Find Xarion.
d) Find Olievar.

Xarion calls you and Olievar back for testimony.

a) Smile encouragingly at Olie.
b) Give Olie a stern look.
c) Tell us everything! Now!
d) Wait, what are we doing again?

Olievar mentions that they were at the party to see the artifact, which is named the Stone Seaweed.

Xarion: Olievar, I know what the Stone Seaweed is. What I don't know is what happened the night it went missing. Please try to stay on track.

a) I want to hear more about the Seaweed.
b) Listen to the rest of Olie’s testimony.

Olievar recounts their actions from the gala to an unimpressed Xarion.

a) Quit being so mean to Olie!
b) It’s okay. You can tell us.
c) Why did you stay? Tell us now!
d) See what Olie says next.

Olievar mentions that they didn't watch the entirety of Clione's performance.

Olievar: The only part I hadn't already seen was the special effects, which is why I did leave, eventually, to catch Clione's grand finale. The sculpture must've been stolen then.

a) See? Olie’s innocent!
b) Hmm… suspicious.
c) See if Xarion believed them.

When asked to describe the part of the performance that they did see, Olievar confesses that there was a giant cake on the buffet table that blocked their sightline, but Xarions says that according to his sources, the cake was completely gone by the time Olievar would have been watching the performance. Olievar gets flustered.

Olievar: World-hopper, you know me. Do you think I could really steal that statue?

a) No.
b) Yes.
c) I don’t know anymore.
d) Avoid eye contact.

Xarion lets Olievar leave.

Xarion: I was hoping your familiarity with Olievar would put them more at ease, but they seemed unsettled nonetheless. It's too soon to tell if they're nervous because of the situation or out of genuine guilt.

a) Olie’s innocent.
b) Who are we talking to next?
c) Do you think they’re guilty?

Clione is the next witness and insists that she is innocent, rattling off a dozen names who had motive to steal the Stone Seaweed.

Clione: Fine, but if you're short on time, I have to say you're wasting it on me. Theater lights are blinding, Judge. I couldn't see anything but the stage. I arrived with the cast and crew, we performed, and then they found out the Stone Seaweed was stolen before I even had the chance to get a peek.

a) There must have been more.
b) Clione’s right. We’re wasting our time here.
c) Stare in silence and see if she says more.

She leaves.

Xarion: I want you to follow her.

a) What? Why?
b) Uh, sure, I guess.
c) An undercover mission? Nice!
d) I can’t spy on my friend!

He mentions that you do daily errands for her, so you'll be less suspicious.

Help Clione with 5 of her daily errands to find any clues in her behaviour.

a) Notice something about Clione. (Quested 5/5 Times)
b) I’ll be back.

NOTE: As of 29 November 2022, it seems that only 1 daily errand is necessary to fulfill this requirement. (More data needed.)

Clione meets with Pyrifera. They have a hushed conversation, during which it is revealed that Pyrifera was also at the gala last night.

Clione: Let me handle Xarion, okay? I'll find a dozen other suspects. Vaer's sake, if that's what it takes, I'll solve the case myself! Nobody ever has to know you were there.

a) What?
b) Clione! How could you?
c) Keep hiding and see what else you can discover.

Xarion reappears and confronts Clione, who lies about stealing the Stone Seaweed in order to protect Pyrifera. She hastily makes up a cover story about eating the artifact since the caterer had told her that the cake was off-limits. Pyrifera intervenes and tells Xarion her side of the story.

Pyrifera had watched the show from backstage, and then waited in the artifact room afterwards. The artifact had already disappeared by that time. Pyrifera admits that this makes her look guilty.

Xarion asks why she did not report it missing, and Pyrifera says that she thought it might have been put away, since the caterers were already taking the cake away.

Xarion: I see. The situation is swiftly becoming clear. World-hopper, your opinion?

a) Olie did it!
b) Clione did it!
c) Pyri did it!
d) They’re all innocent!

Xarion: Among our three major suspects, Olievar lacks a motive, Clione lacked the opportunity, and only Pyrifera would appear to have both.

a) But she’s innocent!
b) Objection!
c) So Pyri’s the guilty one?
d) I don’t know about this...

Xarion admits that it would be a mistake to think of these three as the only suspects.

xarion: What's more, there's one major detail that doesn't add up...

a) The disappearing cake that blocked Olie’s view?
b) Why Pyri saw people taking the buffet away?
c) The caterer who wouldn’t let Clione eat?
d) What was it?

It seems that the giant cake was actually hollow, in order to conceal the statue. Xarion asks Clione what the caterer looked like, and she can't recall much other than his rainbow fins.

Xarion: Wras. Clione, Pyrifera, you're free to go. We've found our real suspect.

a) What makes you so sure it’s Wras?
b) I’m glad it wasn’t Clione, Pyri or Olie.
c) We did it! We solved the case!
d) Of course it’s Wras. It’s always Wras.

Xarion waves off Clione and Pyrifera, thanking all of you for your work and briefly philosophizing about the nature of justice.

Quest Rewards
Stat Rewards	2,000 Potatoes	+5 Affection with Xarion
Item Rewards	Xarion's Scale Cake

Xarion: A Reflective Shrine Visit

Quest Information
Speak With	Xarion
Prerequisites	500 Affection
Description	"Xarion wants to converse with you about your vision of Vaer."

Full Transcript

As always, Xarion sits at his desk, bent over his work. His entire forehead scrunched up in concentration, he finishes reading through the details of yet another case before even looking at you.

Xarion: World-hopper. I'm glad you're here. You see, I've been meaning to talk to you for a while. It's... about the feast where you channeled Vaer. I witnessed a visitation of Vaer with my very own eyes that day, and I need to know what it means.

a) I’m curious, too.
b) I don’t believe in Vaer.
- Xarion: I'm not asking you to worship Vaer, but something has given you more insight into him than generations of priests before us.
c) I am your god! Tremble before me!
- Xarion: You really need a better understanding of our religion if you're going to set yourself up as a false prophet, world-hopper. I've studied the ways of Vaer for more than a decade. Did you really think that would fool me?
d) Anything for you, Xarion.
- Xarion: That's a very kind sentiment, but please be careful when making open-ended promises. If you put that in writing, it would've been legally binding. We don't want that.

Xarion: There is a certain temple of Vaer hidden deep within the wild coral. It's meant to be a place for deep contemplation, to untangle the most complicated of metaphysical questions and moral quandaries.

Xarion: I want to take you there. You had this connection to Vaer at the feast. You've seen through his eyes, felt his majesty. Going to the temple could help us find out why.

a) Let’s go, then.
b) Maybe not right now.
- Xarion: Between now and the last time you visited me, there were three burglaries, two instances of wage theft and fifteen contract disputes brought to the attention of my office.
- Xarion: I haven't had the time to even think about anything but the daily duties of being a judge until now. I am a priest of Vaer! How can I claim to uphold his justice when I neglect my spiritual duties?
  - a) I'll go with you to the temple.
  - b) Maybe not right now.

Xarion leads you to the outskirts of the city and swims off into the wilderness. The only buildings in sight are distant farmhouses, and after a while even they recede into the distance, leaving you surrounded only by seagrass and sand.

Though he doesn't try to start a conversation, after a while you notice that he's matched your pace so that he's always within speaking distance.

a) Ask him about the temple.
- Xarion: In times of old, judges would be sent there to ponder their cases, removing themselves from the biases of the city. Some days, I wish we still followed that tradition.
b) Ask about his personal life.
- Xarion: What is there to say? I work. I sleep. I read the news and the latest legal journals. Occasionally I'll set up a stand in the marketplace or public park to receive citizen complaints.
c) Ask what he’s trying to contemplate.
- Xarion: Vaer came to you. He saw the city, and I can't help but wonder what he'd think of it. Are we living up to his ideals? Would we disappoint him?
d) Enjoy the silence.

The two of you stop at the edge of a different coral reef, a tangled thicket of pink and orange that stands bright against the clear blue water. As you rest, Xarion offers you a snack, handing you a brown-green rectangle of unidentified vegetable matter.

a) Eat it.
- You bite into the rectangle. It's incredibly tough and stringy, and tastes like nothing at all. You have no idea how something made in saltwater could manage to be so incredibly bland.
b) What is this?
- Xarion: An algae brick, made to contain all the nutrients one needs to survive. It's very healthy.
c) No, thanks.
- Xarion nods and eats the brick himself, downing it in two massive bites.

There isn't really a direct path to the temple. You and Xarion are forced to duck under, swim over or crawl through coral allowed to run wild. He takes care not to scrape against any coral, and you do your best to follow his example.

Finally, you come to what looks like a tangled nest. As you look closer, you realize that what seemed like just another natural growth is actually an arched doorway. Coral in shades of peach and gold has been shaped and grown to form the walls of a mighty building.

Inside, the temple has high ceilings and ornate windows, coral twisted like bonsai into intricate shapes. Light filters in from the gaps, casting warped shadows onto the floor.

Xarion: I'll let you guide our path today, world-hopper. Where do your instincts take you?

a) Over to the patterned windows.
- The windows are set high enough that you have to swim to get to them. Each depicts a different scene in Vaer Reef history, stern priests and ancient kings presiding over their domain.
b) The tunnel hidden near the ceiling.
- It's a tight squeeze, but Xarion crawls in behind you without complaint. The tunnel is only just big enough for the two of you to swim through, twisting around and in on itself until the two of you emerge on the other side of the same chamber you started out in.
c) The large chest near the door.
- It's carved with Vaer's likeness and filled with various offerings to the god, from children's toys to beautiful jewelry.
d) The hallway at the far side of the room.

There's only one path to the temple's next chamber. It's a little smaller than the first, but just as grand, coral in all the shades of the sunset formed into surprisingly sturdy walls.

In the center of the room is a set of armour massive enough to fit a sea beast, gleaming bone-white and obviously well-kept. The helm is almost as tall as Xarion himself and looks twice as fierce, lines of terrifying spikes on either side of its jaw.

Xarion: We kept this armour as a reminder of Vaer Reef's wild history, when we rode sea beasts into battle. They used to say that the life of one kraken was worth a hundred fighters.

Xarion gestures towards the armour's tail, which ends in a sort of spiked club. One massive swipe from a weapon that large could probably flatten a small house.

Xarion: When we talk about the need for order, this is what the priests of Vaer are afraid of. Everyone else may have forgotten, but we spend years studying history, reading about what it was like to live in a world where each day was marked by violence.

Xarion: I've tried to make sure that our citizens only need to think of the past as a distant thing, that they live unmarked by fear, but we have not changed so much from the vicious warriors of long ago.

Xarion: It would take far too little to plunge the whole city back into our ancestors' nightmare.

a) You’re scared of something that might never happen.
- Xarion: The only thing ensuring that we never regress is our fear. That's what keeps us alert.
b) I’m glad you’re looking out for everyone.
- Xarion: I try, but I'm only one man. Even with the support of the priesthood... I have to be even more on guard with the people I trust to assist me, because they have more power to abuse than anyone else.
c) Don’t you think you go too far?
- Xarion: Ordinarily, I'd say no, but... too much conviction can be dangerous. It's something that I need to keep in mind. Am I sacrificing too much for peace?
d) You’d be okay even if everything did go wrong.
- Xarion: I know I can protect myself, but what about the rest of the city? Elders, children, those who are sick or injured... Their lives are not of any less worth just because they can't physically defend themselves.

Xarion: That armour isn't just a warning about the city, but about ourselves. Every priest has to remember that the potential for cruelty is as alive in our hearts as it is in anyone else's.

Xarion: We, more than anyone else, have to be aware that power unchecked turns to tyranny. If we don't keep sight of our commitment to our ideals, if we allow our justice to be compromised for personal gain, then we would be no better than the warlords of old.

Xarion: A judge is meant to wield the hammer, not the sword.

With that, Xarion has said all that he has to say, lost in thought as he gazes at the armour's graceful coils. There's only one path to the next chamber, and though you linger a while, eventually you move on with only one last glance at...

a) Xarion’s troubled face.
b) Your own long shadow.
c) The armour’s gauntlets, poised to strike.
d) Nothing, you only want to look ahead.

The next room is a perfect dome, with four nearly-identical sculptures of Vaer hidden in shadowed alcoves. As you look closer, you can see the tiny shifts in expression on each shark and the words carved into their sides.

Xarion: Each sculpture represents one of the vows taken to become a priest of Vaer. Find the one that speaks to you, and it'll guide our thoughts.

You look at the words and decide the vow that speaks to you is...

a) Defend the Weak.
- +1
b) Serve the People.
- +1
c) Strive for Utopia. (?)
d) Remember the Law.
- +1

You settle down in front of your chosen statue, coral surrounding you on three sides. Xarion reaches for an ornate chest tucked into the side of the alcove and opens it, revealing piles of stone tablets neatly stacked atop each other.

You look closer. It's a copy of the Vaer Reef legal code, open to a section that explains how to register livestock as belonging to farms, individual farmers, farmers' collectives and all other farm-associated entities.

a) What am I supposed to do with this?
- Xarion: IAh... I opened the chest out of force of habit, I suppose. Since judges used to come here to ponder cases, the temple's supposed to have a copy of the laws for reference.
- Xarion: I don't mean to influence you. Please, meditate however you wish.
  - a) Look into the eyes of the statue.
    - You stand up so you're face-to-face with Vaer's watchful eyes. Whoever sculpted it chiseled tiny little lines into the statue's pupils, almost like a pattern.
  - b) Do a silly song and dance.
    - Xarion: You're absolutely certain this is the best way to commune with Vaer? Very well.
    - Despite his skepticism, Xarion follows your lead. He flaps his arms and kicks his knees up to the beat, echoing your melody in a gruff, off-key baritone.
  - c) Try to remember your vision.
    - You close your eyes, casting your mind back to that day so long ago. If you concentrate, you can almost hear the shouts of surprise as Wras's giant crabs tunnel from the ocean floor.
  - d) Read and try to understand the law. (?)
b) Reading this makes my head hurt.
- Xarion: I suppose you don't have the benefit of a law school education. These can be a little complicated if you aren't used to the language.
- Xarion: I don't mean to influence you. Please, meditate however you wish.
  - a) Look into the eyes of the statue.
    - You stand up so you're face-to-face with Vaer's watchful eyes. Whoever sculpted it chiseled tiny little lines into the statue's pupils, almost like a pattern.
  - b) Do a silly song or dance.
    - Xarion: You're absolutely certain this is the best way to commune with Vaer? Very well.
    - Despite his skepticism, Xarion follows your lead. He flaps his arms and kicks his knees up to the beat, echoing your melody in a gruff, off-key baritone.
  - c) Try to remember your vision.
    - You close your eyes, casting your mind back to that day so long ago. If you concentrate, you can almost hear the shouts of surprise as Wras's giant crabs tunnel from the ocean floor.
  - d) Read and try to understand the law. (?)
c) I was expecting some kind of awesome mystical artifact.
- Xarion: If you pay attention, I think you'll find that nothing is more "awesome" than clearly delineated rules for a functional society, phrased in language that allows for little to no misinterpretation.
- Xarion: I don't mean to influence you. Please, meditate however you wish.
  - a) Look into the eyes of the statue.
    - You stand up so you're face-to-face with Vaer's watchful eyes. Whoever sculpted it chiseled tiny little lines into the statue's pupils, almost like a pattern.
  - b) Do a silly song and dance.
    - Xarion: You're absolutely certain this is the best way to commune with Vaer? Very well.
    - Despite his skepticism, Xarion follows your lead. He flaps his arms and kicks his knees up to the beat, echoing your melody in a gruff, off-key baritone.
  - c) Try to remember your vision.
    - You close your eyes, casting your mind back to that day so long ago. If you concentrate, you can almost hear the shouts of surprise as Wras's giant crabs tunnel from the ocean floor.
  - d) Read and try to understand the law. (?)
d) Read and try to understand the law.
- You read through the tablets, even the multiple subclauses, footnotes and sentences that take up an entire page. It's hard, but the more you focus, the more you start to see the logic in those complicated paragraphs, each law connecting to the next like a densely-woven net.

You feel like you're stretching for something just out of reach, like there's a word on the tip of your tongue that you can't quite remember.

You're going to have to become more Comprehending if you want to unravel the mysteries of Vaer. Gaining 3 Comprehension should be enough.

Gain 3 Comprehension

a) Meditate. (Increased 3/3 times)
b) Come back later
- Xarion: There are other temples to Vaer closer to the courthouse, but most of them are rather busy. Neighbors usually solve their disputes at the temple so a priest can mediate.
- Xarion: The last time I came here, I was contemplating Vaer Reef's zoning laws. This temple is responsible for the increase in multi-family housing units all across the city.

You close your eyes, focusing your mind. The tides wash gently against you, your breath slowing to match the almost imperceptible slow shifts in the water around you.

As you fall deeper into your trance, whispers surround you, like the echoing of wind inside a shell. They grow louder and louder until they're the only thing you hear, until your entire mind is full of words too hushed for you to understand.

You open your eyes.

You and your friends are picking your way through the ramshackle lean-tos of a primitive town. Half the street is nothing but rubble, and the houses around you are patched with tarp and rope to hide the holes in their walls.

Everyone who crosses your path either ducks their head in fear or glares at you until you back away. Your friends huddle together for safety, scanning the ruined streets for a sign of the great sage Vaer.

According to the few people in town brave enough to talk to you, Vaer is the only one who's tried to stop the endless wars that plague the reefs. He traveled from clan to clan himself, preaching peace to anyone who would listen.

Continue meditation.

Your friends think he's the only hope this war-torn region has, but you're not so sure. If he's so great, why did he fail? What makes this nobody who lives in a cave special instead of just another useless dreamer?

You express your doubts, of course. Loudly. All the way up to the cave where you're told Vaer went into seclusion when none of his lectures worked, after which he's turned away all visitors.

If Vaer's grand plan for peace is to sulk in a cave, it's no wonder the reefs are still at war. What gives him the right to decide peace is better for the region, anyway? It's clear that the vast majority of people have chosen otherwise.

The cave rumbles as you rant, casually ignoring your friends' trepidation. A massive sea serpent unfurls himself from the cave, roaring a rebuttal. He says that a choice made under coercion is no choice at all, that it's difficult for someone who has never known peace to imagine how it feels.

You have counterarguments at the ready, curiosity already sparking at the serpent's insistence. So, this is Vaer, huh? You're ready to see what he thinks.

a) That's rather patronizing to your fellow citizens, isn't it? (?)
b) If that's the case, ho did you manage to arrive at the idea?
c) What is peace, anyway?
d) Interesting! Tell me more.

You're dragged into a lengthy argument with Vaer that continues for hours, until they're crouched on the ground loudly debating the exact definition of violence.

As absorbed as you are in the bickering, you don't notice your Animal friend's frustration until she slams her staff on the ground to get your attention.

You've been trying to get better at giving her space to speak. She may not share your "ego-driven need to be right all the time," as she describes it, but she sees more than anyone else. She alone recognizes the hurt beneath Vaer's anger, the love behind his uncompromising vision.

"We're not here to fight with you," she says. "We came here to help, just like you want to help, to end the war for no reason other than our sincere belief that there shouldn't have to be suffering. Deep down, we're the same."

a) Nod in agreement.
b) I mean, maybe not exactly the same...
c) Sorry for getting argumentative. (?)
d) We're on the same side here!

Vaer breaks down in the face of your sincerity. He tells you all about long years of futile argument, every inch of progress he made eventually erased by bad luck or the malice of the powerful.

He went into seclusion from the world not by choice, but because he was too exhausted to do anything else. He slumps, all his earlier stubbornness and passion was extinguished by the shame of his defeat.

Before you know it, your Human friend, more honourable than she is diplomatic, has picked him up by the scruff and started yelling into his face.

"So what if you failed before? So what if you weren't good enough to make it? That's not an excuse to give up the fight! You still believe in peace, don't you? As long as you still have breath in your lungs, you still have a chance to make things change!"

a) Go easy on him, he's got trauma! (?)
b) She's right. You can't give up.
c) Maybe cool it on the shouting... (?)
d) Yeah! and this time, we're fighting with you!

Fire slowly blooming in his eyes - first from indignation and then from agreement - Vaer agrees to accept your help. The five of you plan together, talking long into the night, and fall asleep in a shivering pile on the floor of Vaer's cave.

The plan all depends on your Elf friend. Vaer swims above the battlefield, the shouts of the warriors below a cacophony. Your friend holds onto his side, lute at the ready. You can feel his magic thrumming through the water.

Each note he plays on the lute harmonizes with the sounds around you, making the ocean itself his instrument. All across the battlefield, the sea beasts in their armour lift their heads and sing.

Vaer begins to preach, and your friend translates his words into his song. He reaches the minds of the warriors on the field without the barriers of language, making them listen to the man they'd tried so hard to ignore.

The music gets louder, more all-consuming, Vaer's pleas for peace and order drowning out everything else, so powerful that for a moment the entire ocean stills.

Vaer's message still echoes through your mind even as your consciousness returns, reminding you that you're in the coral temple instead of floating in wide open water.

Xarion: I... I saw that too. I saw everything.

a) That was so weird.
- Xarion: Definitely a surreal experience.
b) So Vaer was just a normal guy? (?)
c) I wonder who those four people were.
- Xarion: Travellers from distant lands... They sound almost like you.
d) Think about your vision.

Xarion's almost dazed as the two of you leave the temple, his usual grace replaced with an ungainly stumble. At the door, he lingers to place stone tablets from his bag into the chest.

Xarion: It's an offering to Vaer, in thanks for the knowledge we were granted today. Traditionally, every visitor to the temple gives whatever gift they can, no matter how small.

It looks like Xarion expects you to give an offering to Vaer, too. Any piece of knowledge should do.

a) Put something in the chest.
- *This quest accepts Leatherbound Journals or any kind of recipe*
b) I'll see what i can find.
- Xarion: That vision was so vivid. We weren't only looking through their eyes. It felt like we were that person, so much so that I forgot myself.
- Xarion: This is the most we've learned about Vaer since the priesthood was established. I know several scholars and historians who will be beside themselves with curiosity.

Xarion's more collected by the time you've prepared your offering. He's still lost in thought, but he doesn't look like he could accidentally walk into a wall anymore.

Xarion: Learning that Vaer was once fallible... That for a moment he gave up in the face of his failure, that it took the encouragement of others for him to try again, it's...

a) Disappointing? (?)
b) Enough to make you lose your faith?
- Xarion: No! How could I judge Vaer for being fallible when I have failed myself? I cannot condemn anyone for being less than perfect. That's not a crime.
c) Different?
- Xarion: Something of the sort.
d) Encouraging?
- Xarion: Exactly!

Xarion: It's inspiring, in a way, to know that even the greatest among us could struggle so much. I've always tried to hold myself to the highest standards, to never accept anything less than perfection. I have far too much power to do otherwise.

Xarion: I will never treat my duties with any less care, but... Even so, I think I needed the reminder that even Vaer could not change the reefs alone.

Xarion: Do you know why I became a judge, world-hopper?

a) You witnessed a terrible crime when you were a kid?
- Xarion: Nothing so dramatic.
b) A judge stopped you from becoming a juvenile delinquent? (?)
c) I honestly just thought you were a control freak.
- Xarion: Nothing so dramatic.
d) I mean, why does anyone have any job?
- Xarion: Fair enough. The paths we take in life are often arbitrary.

Xarion: We're all taught Vaer's lessons of justice and equality in school. I grew up on priest's tales and moral instruction, but as I became older, I swiftly began to realize that I was one of the only ones who truly believed them.

Xarion: I was a naive and literal-minded child, and I couldn't understand why the people around me cared more about who was stronger, or wealthier, or more powerful, rather than what was right or good. The very existence of hypocrisy shocked me.

Xarion: The world isn't fair, or, rather, people don't allow it to be. I never quite managed to accept that. I wanted to build a just society, one where everyone was safe. Lecturing my fellow children didn't make me very popular, but I kept on with it nonetheless.

Xarion: Perhaps I only ended up as a judge because I was too stubborn and idealistic to do anything else. Centuries later, even after having to deal with the imperfect society we built on his teachings, I still believe in Vaer's dream.

a) That's pretty noble.
- Xarion: I know I am... imperfect. I have my biases, and I've made my fair share of mistakes.
b) You're a fool. (?)
c) I hope you manage to achieve what you want.
- Xarion: I know I am... imperfect. I have my biases, and I've made my fair share of mistakes.
d) Getting people to listen can be difficult.
- Xarion: Sometimes it feels like shouting at a rock wall. Even when you're trying to explain what should be common sense.

Xarion: Seeing this vision, how Vaer struggled under worse conditions for years... It makes me even more determined not to give up. I don't know if we'll be able to build his dream in my lifetime, but I won't stop trying.

Xarion: I will do all I can, and the next judge of Vaer will do all they can, as well. Then the next, and the next, all striving for the peaceful world that Vaer envisioned until we finally reach it. Even then, the judge after that will most likely try to make it even better.

Xarion: But just like Vaer himself, we can't do it alone. I wouldn't be here today without your support, world-hopper. You've assisted and encouraged me even though it was not your duty.

Xarion: I hope you'll continue to stay by my side in the days to come, world-hopper. We'll all change Vaer Reef together. It's always been difficult, grueling work, but at least we're not alone.

Complete quest.

Here will be the condensed version of the quest

Quest Rewards
Stat Rewards	5,000 Potatoes	+3 Affection with Xarion
Item Rewards	Xarion's Judgment Hammer	Xarion's Totem
Item Rewards	Xarion's Red Ceremonial Mask	Xarion's Red Judicial Slacks

Site Navigation

Quest Types by Town
Louise Hill	Daily Quests Main Quests Side Quests
Three's Forest	Daily Quests Main Quests Side Quests
The Red Tower	Daily Quests Side Quests
Silvie's Mine	Daily Quests Main Quests Side Quests
Aviar Cove	Daily Quests Main Quests Side Quests
Vaer Reef	Daily Quests Main Quests Side Quests
Peddler's Port	Daily Quests Side Quests
The Frog Pond	Daily Quests