[blockstart:520]




[blockend:520]

[blockstart:500]
<font:$local$\fonts\fonthead16bld.fnt>
DECISION TIME
<font:$local$\fonts\font12.fnt>

(Caught) What happened? I'm exhausted... I'm out of my strength. But what happened to the rest of the crew?...

<usericon:1,384,19>

Right, I can see it. Damn... Where am I anyway? What is this place? I have to get outta here! There is no time to waste!

"Ergh... Hello?"

"Greetings. Why are you looking at me like I'm a freak?"

"Well, you were speaking to yourself so wildly."

"My ship's wrecked and the crew's gone. I have to leave this place. And who are you exactly?"

"I am a carpenter. Been workin' for the people from the continent."

"Is there a village out here?"

"Wouldn't call this a village. There is only our shipyard."

"Do you build ships?"

"Yeah, my buddy's a master in his craftmanship. We can build you a ship if you need it. We've already got the hide but our woodcutter got injured."

"So you want me to cut the wood?"

"We can make a deal: you're gonna bring us some wood, and we will build you a ship. What do you say?"

"Deal."

"So, let's get to work! Take the gathered wood to the warehouse."


<usericon:1,386,56>

<font:$local$\fonts\fonthead16bld.fnt>
Chapter I

<usericon:1,384,35>
THE LOST ONE
<font:$local$\fonts\font12.fnt>



(Gather 30 wood and pay a tribute to carpenters)

[blockend:500]

[blockstart:501]
<font:$local$\fonts\fonthead16bld.fnt>
Mainland
<font:$local$\fonts\font12.fnt>

Hah! Spendin' some time on building a ship was a good decision! It's not bad. I escaped this bloody island, but... It's a foreign area and our crew's objective was a little different than this.

I'm a little frightened about exploring this area, but there is no choice, I think. I need to get out of here!

There is an exit from this little valley out there, to the south. Maybe there are some people?

[blockend:501]

[blockstart:502]
<font:$local$\fonts\fonthead16bld.fnt>
Buildings on the horizon
<font:$local$\fonts\font12.fnt>

According to my compass, the north is right there. Right, so directions are clear, so I can say that there are some buildings to the south. Pretty massive. No doubt, they're quite rich.

[blockend:502]

[blockstart:503]
<font:$local$\fonts\font12.fnt>
When I arrived at the gates of the city, guards blocked the way with their weapons and told me not to move anymore. I assume they thought I was a bandit. When I told'em about the ship and what happened with the crew, they brought me to the mayor of the city. One of the guardians whispered a few words to his leader and then, he started to talk to me.

"Greetings, the man of the desert! Tell me what happened to your ship."

"I'm a castaway. I made it to the coast by building a small ship. What is this place?"

"We are in the Shadow Coast."

"The Shadow"?

"Yeah, could have called it Fog Coast. According to my notes, you are not the first victim of this kind of situation."

"This... Coast. Coast of which land?"

"The continent, of course."

"The continent?"

"It's the Old World. It's been wasted by the Titans for decades. It is situated far north-east to the Southern Seas"

"Right. There are other people in this place?"

"Indeed. Head to the north and you will spot the Barbarians. They call themselves 'People of the North'. If you walk to the west, you should find the town of the Paladins."

"And that's it?"

"And don't forget about us - The Imperials!"

"Got it. Is there one ruler who unites all the factions?"

"No. The three communities I mentioned, are in a war with each other. All of us want to rule the Coast. Each community has a different way of thinking about many things, politics for sure. Every person has a choice which side to choose. Of course, I think you should join The Imperials. That's the only way."

<font:$local$\fonts\fonthead16bld.fnt>
Chapter II

<usericon:1,426,253>
CHOICE
<font:$local$\fonts\font12.fnt>

(Hint: If you decided who do you wanna join, head to the headquarters of chosen faction to confirm who did you've chosen. But remember!  If you join one of the three factions, the rest of them will close their gates for you, so choose wisely!)

<font:$local$\fonts\font12.fnt>


[blockend:503]

[blockstart:504]
"Halt!"

"What?"

"Who are you?"

"Traveller from the south. My ship's got wrecked and I'm lookin' for help."

"Traveller, eh? What do you expect from us?"

"I found out that there are three factions out here. I thought it was a good idea to join one of them."

"We're always recruiting new members. But firstly, you have to pass the test. We have to find out if you're not a spy. Head to the city hall, I hope you'll find it."





[blockend:504]

[blockstart:505]

"Who are you? Talk! Or I'll kick your ass!"

"Watch your blood pressure. I'm not gonna make troubles."

"What are you looking for?"

"I'm a castaway and I'm thinking about which faction I should join."

"We're out of good people. If you're willing to join us, head to the headquarters, the test is gonna start right there. It's in the middle of the town."


[blockend:505]

[blockstart:506]

<font:$local$\fonts\fonthead16bld.fnt>
You've chosen The Imperials!
<font:$local$\fonts\font12.fnt>

"I'm glad you've chosen our community. Listen. Our scouts spotted a small knight's squad. They're our enemies, so it's an insult."

"What am I supposed to do?"

"You have to finish'em off. That's your test."

"I don't even have a weapon! How can I beat'em without a weapon?"

"That's the part of your test."

(Damn, I should look for a weapon. Factions are hostile to each other so they are fighting. Maybe I should look for a weapon in the crossroad?)

[blockend:506]

[blockstart:508]

<font:$local$\fonts\fonthead16bld.fnt>
You've chosen the Paladins!
<font:$local$\fonts\font12.fnt>

"Innos be with you, brother. Now listen. Our scouts spotted a small barbarians' squad. They're our enemies, so it's an insult."

"What am I supposed to do?"

"You have to finish'em off. That's your test."

"I don't even have a weapon! How can I beat'em without a weapon?"

"That's the part of your test."

(Damn, I should look for a weapon. Factions are hostile to each other so they are fighting. Maybe I should look for a weapon in the crossroad?)


[blockend:508]

[blockstart:509]

<font:$local$\fonts\fonthead16bld.fnt>
You've chosen the Barbrians!
<font:$local$\fonts\font12.fnt>

"Listen, shortass. Our scouts spotted a small Imperials' squad to the north-west. They're our enemies, so it's an insult."

"What am I supposed to do?"

"You have to finish'em off. That's your test."

"I don't even have a weapon! How can I beat'em without a weapon?"

"That's the part of your test."

(Damn, I should look for a weapon. Factions are hostile to each other so they are fighting. Maybe I should look for a weapon in the crossroad?)





[blockend:509]

[blockstart:510]

The mission's done! Head to the Imperials!

[blockend:510]

[blockstart:511]

The mission's done! Head to the Barbarians!

[blockend:511]

[blockstart:512]

The mission's done! Head to the Paladins!






[blockend:512]

[blockstart:513]

"I assume that you've got your job done?"

"Yes, indeed. So, I'm one of you from now on?"

"Correct! You are officially an Imperial legionist. Ready for your next task?"

"I guess so."

"Now listen to me carefully. Each faction has an equal chance to win this war. We are doing our best to change our situation and make us the supremacists..."

"So what's my duty?"

"Some mercenaries were spotted on the beach far to the south-west. We've talked to them about buying their services, but..."

"Get to the point!"

"They want us to send one soldier to a tomb."

"So what is the problem?"

"They were talking about some kind of riddle. I think they want us to solve it and - as a reward - make them our friends."

"Do you even know what is the riddle about?"

"Nah. They didn't tell us. You have to meet'em in their camp and find out what's going on."

"Where are they?"

"As I said, they should be far to the west. Near the beach."

"Alright, so my job here is done. I'm on my way."

"Good luck out there soldier."

<font:$local$\fonts\fonthead16bld.fnt>
Chapter III

<usericon:1,122,397>
TOMB'S RIDDLE
<font:$local$\fonts\font12.fnt>






[blockend:513]

[blockstart:514]

"I assume that you've got your job done?"

"Yes, indeed. So, I'm one of you from now on?"

"Correct! You are officially a Berserker. Ready for your next task, shortass?"

"I guess so."

"Now listen to me carefully, stinky piece of shit. Each faction has an equal chance to win this war. We are doing our best to change our situation and make us the supremacists..."

"So what's my duty?"

"Some mercenaries were spotted on the beach far to the south-west. We've talked to them about buying their services, but..."

"Get to the point!"

"They want us to send one soldier to a tomb."

"So what is the problem?"

"They were talking about some kind of a riddle. I think they want us to solve it and - as a reward - make them our friends."

"Do you even know what is the riddle about?"

"Nah. They didn't tell us. You have to meet'em in their camp and find out what's going on."

"Where are they?"

"As I said, they should be far to the west. Near the beach."

"Alright, so my job here is done. I'm on my way."

"Don't get yourself eaten."

<font:$local$\fonts\fonthead16bld.fnt>
Chapter III

<usericon:1,122,397>
TOMB'S RIDDLE
<font:$local$\fonts\font12.fnt>






[blockend:514]

[blockstart:515]

"I assume that you've got your job done?"

"Yes, indeed. So, I'm one of you from now on?"

"Correct! You are officially a Paladin's soldier. Ready for your next task?"

"I guess so."

"Now listen to me carefully. Each faction has an equal chance to win this war. We are doing our best to change our situation and make us the supremacists..."

"So what's my duty?"

"Some mercenaries were spotted on the beach far to the south-west. We've talked to them about buying their services, but..."

"Get to the point!"

"They want us to send one soldier to a tomb for Innos sake."

"So what is the problem?"

"They were talking about some kind of a riddle. I think they want us to solve it and - as a reward - make them our friends."

"Do you even know what is the riddle about?"

"Nah. They didn't tell us. You have to meet'em in their camp and find out what's going on."

"Where are they?"

"As I said, they should be far to the west. Near the beach."

"Alright, so my job here is done. I'm on my way."

"May the Innos be with you. And good luck."

<font:$local$\fonts\fonthead16bld.fnt>
Chapter III

<usericon:1,122,397>
TOMB'S RIDDLE
<font:$local$\fonts\font12.fnt>





[blockend:515]

[blockstart:516]

<usericon:1,19,396>

"Greetings, comrades! How's it goin'!"

"Who the hell are you?"

"I'd been sent to give your mission a try!"

Suddenly, a big guy with a sword bigger than myself appeared from nowhere and said very roughly yet friendly at the same time.

"Great! You're the first candidate to solve the riddle. So, you're the best man from your faction?"

"Actually I'm the new one..."

"I told'em to send the best and the smartest soldier they have!"

"Relax. I'm an experienced sailor. Well, used to be."

"So why did you give up on this?"

"Ship's wrecked and my crew's gone. Maybe one day I'll get a chance to get out of here. But anyway. Tell me about my task."

"There is an interesting tomb on the east. We cannot open it because of the riddle. Make it through and you got our help."

"Where is this tomb exactly?"

"I can mark it on your map."

[blockend:516]

[blockstart:517]

Right, here it is.
Wait.
I can see a text: "Only the one with the cold touch can open that tomb."
What's the deal?
Hmm...
"Cold touch", eh?...
There is snow far to the north.
But I haven't spotted anything special.
Wait a moment! There is something more:
"An Ice Island is somewhere there
Where there is so cold atmosphere
The Island is where the Sun rises
One of the directions it symbolizes"
A hint!
I have to think about what is that mean.




[blockend:517]

[blockstart:518]

<usericon:1,259,479>

A statue.
A statue of a woman.
Maybe it is what I was supposed to look for.
Maybe a little touch can...

...

Damn! My hands! They're frozen! But... I can move them.
Oh, I got it - "the cold touch"!
I should go back to the tomb. Maybe I can open it this time.



[blockend:518]

[blockstart:519]

Alright, let's give it a try...

...

It worked!
Let's find out what do we have here. Some chests.
Bloody hell, another inscription. It says that I have to choose the right chest.

(Pick the correct chest and head back to the mercenaries!)






[blockend:519]

[blockstart:550]

"I did it!"

"I'm impressed, rookie! So, what did you find there?"

"I found a magic chest. When I have opened it, the catapult magically appeared just next to me."

"Well done, lad! We're getting this thing as our payment. We will get it later. From now on, we are on your orders."

"I have to talk to my boss since I've got my job done."




[blockend:550]

[blockstart:521]

When I was walking through the gate, the leader was already waiting for me with a bunch of soldiers. Without unnecessary details, I told him simply:

"The mercenaries are with us!"

"Good job, my lad! I think you're ready for a promotion due to your achievements. But your job isn't done yet,"

"What do you want me to do?"

"Since you're general from now on, you're gonna lead our soldiers to the hostile's base. But, you have to choose one faction because we cannot afford two wars at one time.

"Right. Let me think..."

<font:$local$\fonts\fonthead16bld.fnt>
Chapter IV

<usericon:1,253,92>
ASSAULT
<font:$local$\fonts\font12.fnt>

[Decisions

The followng are:
The Barbarians
<usericon:1,255,70>
The Paladins
<usericon:1,200,146>
The Imperials
<usericon:1,320,159>

You should find it.]




[blockend:521]

[blockstart:522]


So, here we are. Let's get these things done fast.



[blockend:522]

[blockstart:523]


That was a tough fight. But we made it! I should head back to my leader immediately.



[blockend:523]

[blockstart:524]

When I told my leader about my success, he offered me to stay for a while and drink some liquor because I deserved it. When we were drinking, I asked about permission to leave the continent with some of his men. He refused. And gave me another order...
[blockend:524]

[blockstart:525]

"So, what do you say?"

"It's great! Thank you for your help. Farewell!"

[blockend:525]

