PART 5: So It Begins
[Enter Tracer in a weapon shop, with a blacksmith behind the counter and a shadowy figure in the corner]
BSMITH: Welcome, we have a broad range of weaponry here. What can I help you find?
TRACER: I like swords!
BSMITH: Alright, let me check in the backroom and see what all we have left.
[Exit blacksmith. Enter Spek, Rose, and Psiko]
SPEK: How did I know that we would find you here? Did you get our gold back from that thief?
TRACER: Nope.
SPEK: Then why are you in here?
TRACER: Because I like swords! Duh!
SPEK: You have no gold to buy swords with. Oh well, lets go see the king and become Light Warriors.
TRACER: Yay! We�re gonna be Light Warriors!
[The group exits the weapon shop and the shadowy figure follows them, stealing their gold and equipment. The group enters the castle and the shadowy figure disappears]
PSIKO: Odd, it seems that I have lost the encumbrance penalties from the gold and equipment I was carrying.
SPEK: Now that you mention it, my incredible spell book filled with magic that can cause mass destruction is missing, and my Silver Dagger.
ROSE: My Magic Hammer is gone too, and all my scrolls with my spells.
TRACER: Swords gone! I like swords!
PSIKO: Some rogue must have just gotten four consecutive successful checks on their Steal proficiency. My +5 Vorpal Longsword is gone, and my Thong of +5 Dexterity is missing as well!
SPEK: Ha! You wear a thong?
PSIKO: Hell, for +5 dexterity, I�d wear high heels and make-up as well.
ROSE: You are a sad, sad man.
SPEK: Well, what do we do now? We have no gold, no spells, and no equipment.
PSIKO: I am sure the king will supply us with adequate gold to replace what has been stolen. Plus, I am sure they have quite a broad selection of powerful spells and magical items stocked in the stores here.
SPEK: Right, so lets go see the king.
[The group enters the throne room, with the king sitting upon his throne with an attendant at his side]
KING: Hello, I am the King of Corneria, and you are?
TRACER: We�re gonna be Light Warriors! I like swords, yo!
KING: Ah, yes. Finally four brave souls who are willing to be sent off to their death� [Attendant whispers in his ear] umm�I mean to save the world from Chaos.
ATNDT: Yes, you shall do just fine. Here are the four orbs, which have been kept here in this castle for many years. As you can see, they have lost their glow, signifying that the four places of power have been overtaken by the four fiends. Lich, the earth fiend, who can be found in the Earth Cave to the south-west of Melmond. Kary, the fire fiend, who can be found deep within Gurgu Volcano to the north-west of Crescent Lake. Kraken, the water fiend, who can be found at the bottom of the Sea Shrine in Onrac. Finally, Tiamat, the wind fiend, atop of the Sky Castle, which is connected by the Mirage Tower within the Great Eastern Desert. Your task, after rescuing Princess Sara from Garland, is to defeat these fiends and place the proper orb upon the pedestal which is in the heart of their lairs. This should revive the orb, and stop the decay and destruction which the fiend has begun. Go, Light Warriors, and make the orbs shine again. [Hands each one an orb]
SPEK: Uh, one small problem here.
KING: And what might that be?
SPEK: All our gold, items, and equipment have been stolen.
KING: Ah, yes. I see how that may be a problem. I shall supply you with all the gold which is held within our vault. My attendant will return with it shortly. [Exit Attendant]
PSIKO: No need for that, a handful of platinum pieces should be sufficient funds to replace all our equipment here in your shops.
[Enter Attendant with a sack of gold pieces, which he hands to Psiko]
KING: There you are. I hope that it is an adequate supply to restock here in Corneria.
PSIKO: Judging by the amount of force needed to hold this bag in place against the forces of gravity, I'd say that there are only 400 gold pieces in here! This would only be a down payment for my +3/+3 Wand of Incineration! And my high quality Elvin suit of Plate Mail? That would only cover a fraction of the cost!
SPEK: And what about my 70-page spell book filled with arcane incantations for spells of mass destruction? That is not easily replaced! Now how will I zap old men with electric death or nuke entire cities? Answer, I can't!
KING: I am sorry, but that is all the more I can give you. All our gold has been spent on the bridge that is being built to the next continent. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have other matters to attend.
[Exeunt]