NPC dialogue/2021

January 23

Niall (on Discord)

Hello @everyone!

First off, I want to say a formal hello to all of you - I haven't met a lot of you before, and I hope to see more of you in-person in the near future!

As part of my studies of the rift above spawn (that we now know leads to some sort of sky dimension), I was able to determine the science behind near-instantaneous interspatial travel! As a result, I've worked with your staff team to construct several portal pads to the right of the spawn town Town Hall that use small bits of the rift's energy in order to take you to several commonly-visited locations! Interdimensional travel, however, is proving to be much more difficult to crack, and it'll take much more research in order to even begin to understand it...

I hope this helps you navigate around the server a tad easier! Also, keep in mind that these portal pads are prototypes, meaning that I'll be tinkering with them often in order to perfect their design.

Oh, and one more thing: There appears to be an unknown life form in the Sky Dimension that is quite different from life down here - I might need a team to come with me and investigate this anomaly soon!

See you around,
Niall

June 4

Niall

Hello everyone!

So, as you may know, I’ve gathered you all here today to relay an urgent message. It is from King Cloudius himself!

This is what he had to say:

'Groundfolk! Come with haste! I am in great need! There's going to be a great siege upon my people!'

'The Sky Kingdom is home to many strange beasts, but none is as ferocious or cunning as the dragon Ralnthar, the Soul Eater!'

'In a single breath he could wipe my palace straight off this cloud!'

'Please, you must come to our aide! You must move my vast wealth to safety in your Realm, and then assist in the fortification of my kingdom'

Niall

Let's go!

[Players follow Niall to the Sky Kingdom and meet King Cloudius]

King Cloudius

Welcome back, travellers! I hope Niall already explained everything to you because I don’t feel like talking much! First, you must take the gold of the kingdom back to your realm! You can find it in my castle!

[Players begin collecting valuables from the vault]

Niall

I found a well in a cave near spawn that we can throw it down for safekeeping!

King Cloudius

You may each take one stack of gold for your assistance, but store the rest!

[Players return to Parallel Prime and toss the riches into Midas' Well]

King Cloudius

Thank you for storing my gold! Now, we must fortify against that dastardly dragon! Build walls! Arm the battlements! Do whatever it takes to defend my kingdom!

---

[Following the defeat of waves of mobs, Ralnthar himself launches fireballs at the player defenses, killing several]

Ralnthar

IGNORANT ANTS! YOU DARE ASSAULT MY BROOD?!

Niall

We did, and we’ll kill the rest if you don’t leave this kingdom alone!

Ralnthar

FOOLS! YOU ARE IN NO POSITION TO MAKE DEMANDS!

[Ralnthar discovers that the King's vault is empty]

Ralnthar

IF I CANNOT HAVE YOUR GOLD... THEN I WILL HAVE YOUR SOULS.

[Ralnthar unleashes a flurry of fireballs and players are kicked from the server]

Server (failure to connect message)

YOUR WORLD BURNS, MORTAL.

---

[Players return to the server, discovering Spawn Town in ruins]

King Cloudius

It’s ruined... The dragon, he... he cannot be stopped... I must be rid of him... But first we must, er, rebuild!

Niall

Rebuild? But how? We can't be transporting so many supplies through such a small rift!

King Cloudius

That is why you must EXPAND it! As big as you can, as big as... something big!

Jess

I could. I created this tear to the Sky Kingdom, I can make it bigger. But I need some parts.

[The three NPCs finish their conversation. The playerbase recommends that Jess search for Red's expertise on interdimensional travel. Cloudius tells the players to find Red.]

Jess

If you think this... merchant has the technology, we need to see him.

King Cloudius

Perhaps I should wait here. My people need me. Come back when you have news!

[Niall and Jess accompany the players to Red's stall in the Shopping District]

Red

The wreckage here will do you no good... but there is another place.

Jess (to the players)

I see you made additions to my scaffolding

Red

A Station, Out in the void. But I promised them that I'd never return... Not without... Hmm, tell you what- My shop's income's been running pretty dry lately. You people just don't seem to want what I have all that much! And I kinda have to sell a bunch of this stuff. I can’t really return empty-handed. So, I have a proposition... for you- If you buy enough of my stuff, and that means a LOT of you buy at least SOMEthing, I'll give you coordinates to the space station.

[Players mention soul shards]

Niall

I must study these shards... TBA as to if I may.. require... some from you

Red

Use your bonuses and votes! I may or may not have to fill a quota! But, if you keep buying stuff from me, I may give you the information some days from now.

Jess (commenting on Niall's observatory)

This lab is quaint. I'm not surprised you made no progress with the rift, but it could work if this station has what we need.

Niall

For now, I must talk with Jess alone

August 7

Jess (on Discord)

Hello all,

I hope my message here works, as I've never used this form of communication, but I felt that I needed to relay some important info to you. As you know, Cloudius needs my help in order to expand the rift between your spawn town and the Sky Dimension on the Sky Dimension side in order to shuttle some materials through because he wants his kingdom rebuilt. However, I keep seeing him sneak away from the courthouse, and for a while, I wasn't sure where he was going. Not too long ago, though, I decided to follow him, and I ended up tracking him to a weird castle structure. I'm not entirely sure what's in there, so I need help to figure out why he's been acting so mysterious; since you all seem to enjoy trespassing, I want you guys to come help me investigate. I don't exactly want to widen a rift for a guy who's keeping secrets from me, especially since I'm supposed to be working closely with him.

So, if you're in, meet me at the spawn town at 7:30 PM EST tomorrow. We'll go over together, but be prepared to face the unknown.

- Jess

August 8

[Jess meets players in Spawn Town]

Jess

I've found a way to listen to everyone talk, but it only works one way. So yes, I can here the "nut and sus" conversation.

Jess

Anyway, is our little adventuring party good to go?

Jess

Alright, it's taken you all long enough. I'm going with or without you. Follow if you'd like.

[Jess warps to Jungle Town and heads to the north shore]

Jess

Keep up please.

Jess

Don't go too far ahead.

Jess

Into the boats. It's a long way.

[Jess and the players cross the ocean to Castle Cloudius]

---

[Cloudius discovers Jess and the players in his castle]

King Cloudius

What are you doing here?

King Cloudius

I suppose you've already shown yourselves around. Luckily I have taken some measures for secrecy.

King Cloudius

You destroyed my Sky Kingdom, have you come to trash this place too?

King Cloudius

You have no idea what you've done to my people... they deserve a real home! I thought this would be a place where I could plan for the future in peace, but it appears that's too much to ask.

King Cloudius

You... Jess... you promised me you would help my people, but there hasn't been any progress on the portal for months! I expected more from you.

Jess

Excuse me? I'm going as fast as I can.

Jess

This kind of thing doesn't happen overnight, you're lucky I even offered to help you in the first place...

King Cloudius

So when will you be ready then?

Jess

If all goes according to plan, I'll be making the journey for parts next weekend. Though I may need help from others.

King Cloudius

I don't care what you have to do, just help me expand the portal! It would solve everything. All threats against the Sky Kingdom would be neutralized. All of them...

Jess

Fine. I'm warning you though, I haven't exactly done this before. Who knows what will happen if we don't think this through.

King Cloudius

The rebuilding process has lasted far too long... no matter the cost, we must bring it to an end.

King Cloudius

Now out! All of you! While I appreciate your effort to help my Kingdom in the past, it's clear to me now that you are all too nosy for your own good. I will do anything to help my people, and to keep them safe from harmful influences like you

Jess

Let's get going... I've never seen him like this. It's best we leave him alone.

[Some players refuse to leave]

King Cloudius

Leave now or I will call my guards!

[Cloudius calls an iron golem guard to intimidate the remaining players]

King Cloudius

Leave, or else.

[Some players remain, so Cloudius shoots them with lightning bolts]

King Cloudius

RKRuler...

King Cloudius

Out.

[The surviving players exit the castle]

Jess

I'm going back to work. I have things to do that aren't terrorizing the king, unlike some people.

Jess

For what it's worth, Red hasn't talked to me either. I'm waiting on him for the location of the station. I wish he'd hurry, clearly King Cloudius is getting irritable.

King Cloudius

Farewell. Can't say it's been a pleasure.