Roland Argenson/Dialogue
It is copied verbatim from Outward, and is therefore copyright of Nine Dots Studio.
The following is a transcript of Roland Argenson's dialogue.
Call to Adventure
(#0) Roland Argenson: Oh. [PlayerName]. What brings you here? How's my brother doing? (→ #1)
(#1) Multiple-choice:
- 0: Well, Yzan's alive. That's more than most of the other people on our expedition can say. (→ #2)
(#2) Roland Argenson: Y-yeah, shame about the shipwreck. Accidents like this happen all the time. (→ #3)
(#3) Multiple-choice:
- 0: Not if the lighthouse is lit. Who was on duty that night? (→ #4)
- 1: Well, the bay is pretty dangerous. If it keeps the pirates away, then I guess it's dangerous to our ships too. (→ #7)
(#4) Roland Argenson: Not a clue. I’m not the one organizing things around here. Wasn’t me though, that’s for sure. (→ #5)
(#5) Multiple-choice:
- 0: Shouldn't you be helping your brother salvage the wreck? (→ #6)
(#6) Roland Argenson: I don't think he wants my help. He's always says that I'm stupid and clumsy. I'd probably just get in the way. Ugh, this is the worst day I've had in forever. (→ end)
(#7) Roland Argenson: Exactly! If my brother had a smaller ship, or you guys hadn't picked up so many Kazite rugs or whatever else in Oroshi, you wouldn't have had any trouble! (→ #5)
Looking to the Future
(#0) Roland Argenson: So, you know. Yeah, it was my fault the boat got wrecked. It's my fault Yzan's got a Blood Price to pay. It's my fault your investment went belly up. Because I was a careless idiot. (→ #1)
(#1) Roland Argenson: I don’t even know how Rissa found out. It’s like she has some kind of sixth sense. (→ #2)
(#2) Roland Argenson: You're here to take what little I have, like you did to my brother, I guess? I already gave Rissa every silver I had. (→ #3)
(#3) Multiple-choice:
- 0: At least you deserve your Blood Price. I don't. (→ #4)
- 1: Get to work and pay it back. Do your duty to the tribe. (→ #10)
- 2: Grow up and stop whining. We all have burdens to bear. (→ #11)
- 3: You have no idea how much I want to kill you, Roland. I lost my home because of you. (→ #12)
(#4) Roland Argenson: I can't imagine how that must feel. It's bad enough knowing that I deserve my own. How do you even cope? (→ #5)
(#5) Multiple-choice:
- 0: How do you intend to pay your Blood Price? (→ #6)
(#6) Roland Argenson: I don’t know. I’m bad at everything I do. I don’t have the patience to fish, I’m not good with steel… Bah. I might just throw myself at the outside world and try to make it there. (→ #7)
(#7) Multiple-choice:
- 0: You? Challenge the outside world? You’d be dead in a day. (→ #8)
- 1: That’s the spirit. Make it work or die trying! (→ #9)
(#8) Roland Argenson: Maybe. But maybe I don’t care. Either learn and succeed, or die and it’s not my problem anymore… Risks don’t scare me right now. (→ #9)
(#9) Roland Argenson: Ugh... Maybe I should beg Eto to teach me some of his personal combat Skills first... I don’t want to be torn to pieces by Hyenas or Troglodytes… (→ #13)
(#10) Roland Argenson: I know my duty. And my future descendant's duties. We will pay our Blood Price for however many generations it takes. I won't run from this. This is my punishment, and I will shoulder it however I can, until I die. That's what's expected of me, right? (→ #5)
(#11) Roland Argenson: That’s what Rissa told me. I guess this is just the way the world is. Shut up, give up on your life, and live for everyone else. Fine. I can try, at least. (→ #5)
(#12) Roland Argenson: I know, I know. I'm sorry. I’ll try to save up to repay you. Somehow. After all, part of my Blood Price has to go to helping you, right? (→ #5)
(#13) Roland Argenson: You’re leaving Cierzo, right? Hang on... Here, it’s not much but it should help a little. I’ll keep trying to make it up to you, [PlayerName], I promise. (→ end)
(#14) Roland Argenson: Ugh... This latest attempt at fishing was a botch... How in Elatt’s name am I going to be able to live like this? (→ end)
Initial Berg Dialogue
(#0) Roland Argenson: [PlayerName]! It’s good to see you! I almost didn’t make it to Berg in one piece. Some metal golem dog things nearly got me! If a passing hunter hadn’t saved me... (→ #1)
(#1) Roland Argenson: He gave me some stuff to make traps and told me to use them and my brain if I’m not good at fighting. But I’d rather practice fighting than rely on these tricky things. I nearly impaled myself trying to arm one! (→ #3)
(#2) Roland Argenson: I stumbled on a small cache of gems the other day. I know this should go to my Blood Price Payment, but... you lost your home because of me. You need this more than me. (→ #3)
(#3) Multiple-choice:
- 0: Thanks, Roland. (→ end)
- 1: You should look after yourself Roland, keep it. (→ #4)
(#4) Roland Argenson: No. I insist. Take it. I want to make up for the shipwreck I got you caught in. (→ end)
(#5) Roland Argenson: Oh! [PlayerName]! I found this on a hunter’s corpse not too far out from town. It’s still got his blood on it, but... It’s still usable! (→ #3)
(#6) Roland Argenson: I’m getting better day by day... It’s still hopeless, but at least I can survive like this, even if it’s just barely. I’ll keep trying to make it up to you, [PlayerName], I promise. (→ end)
Whispering Bones #1
(#0) Roland Argenson: Greetings. I hope you’re well! (→ end)
(#1) Roland Argenson: I'm going to go report to Gabriella once I’ve caught my breath. I'll see you back in Berg, [PlayerName]. (→ end)
(#2) Roland Argenson: Gahh... I’ve made a terrible mistake... I gave up so much of my life to the Ley Line that my body is as frail as a spiderweb. I'll never shake this Blood Price. I'll never amount to anything. (→ #3)
(#3) Multiple-choice:
- 0: What are you going to do about it? Just whine? Or are you going to actually try? (→ #4)
- 1: Roland, get your chin up. There's always hope if you keep at it. (→ #10)
(#4) Roland Argenson: You're right. I have either get good or die trying. All I can do is just push ahead. (→ #5)
(#5) Multiple-choice:
- 0: So, what was it we were looking for? (→ #6)
(#6) Roland Argenson: It's my dad's old compass. Yzan and I took it when we were kids to run around outside. You can imagine how that ended up. Stupid shrimp would’ve killed us if it wasn't for that old gate warden saving us. It's all I have left to remember my dad by. (→ #7)
(#7) Multiple-choice:
- 0: I can see why you'd come back for this. (→ #8)
- 1: It looks broken, it’s probably not even worth 10 silvers. (→ #9)
(#8) Roland Argenson: Thanks for helping me find it again, [PlayerName]. I won't forget this. (→ #1)
(#9) Roland Argenson: Yeah, but to me it's worth a lot more than that. Thanks for helping me find it again. (→ #1)
(#10) Roland Argenson: Oh, right. Hope. The little carrot you dangle in front of a horse to make it keep going. Life's already beaten me with the damn stick, why should I care about the stupid carrot? (→ #5)
(#11) Roland Argenson: Hey...[PlayerName]? While we're back here in the Chersonese... There's somewhere I want to go. I'd feel better if you came along. (→ #12)
(#12) Roland Argenson: When we were kids, Yzan and I went into the Starfish cave on the beach near Cierzo. I... lost something there. Something that belonged to my father. (→ #13)
(#13) Multiple-choice:
- 0: I'm not taking a detour for us to pick up an old trinket. We have work to do! (→ #14)
- 1: Sure, why not. It's not that far out of the way. (→ #15)
(#14) Roland Argenson: I suppose... It probably got destroyed or stolen years ago anyway. I’ll head back to Berg and to report to Gabriella, then. (→ end)
(#15) Roland Argenson: Really? Thanks, [PlayerName]. It means a lot to me. The cave I'm talking about is the one right near Cierzo's back door, on the beach where the tunnel from the storage tunnel comes out. (→ end)
(#16) Roland Argenson: Oh, Elatt's name... Everything hurts. Everything. Hurts. I had no idea the Mana ritual was so painful. (→ #17)
(#17) Multiple-choice:
- 0: Roland, exactly how much of your life did you sacrifice to tap into the Ley Line's Mana? (→ #18)
(#18) Roland Argenson: I don't know. I just kept pouring my life into the Ley Line, as much as I could bear... I wanted as much Mana as I could take. (→ #19)
(#19) Multiple-choice:
- 0: Roland, you complete moron. Do you have a death wish? (→ #20)
- 1: You must have gained a ton of magical power. How does it feel? (→ #24)
(#20) Roland Argenson: You're asking? I honestly don't care what happens to me anymore. Rissa has me by the stones. If I don't work for her, I can't pay my Blood Price. If I do work for her, I face almost certain death. Either way, there's nothing to lose. (→ #21)
(#21) Roland Argenson: I'm already able to use Magic. See this sword? I made it myself out of my own Mana. I can make a blade whenever I need one! (→ #22)
(#22) Multiple-choice:
- 0: That's a sword made of Mana? That's kind of impressive for a new mage. Do you know how to use it? (→ #23)
(#23) Roland Argenson: It might be made of Mana, but it's still a sword. The pointy end goes into the bad guys. How hard can it be to use? (→ #11)
(#24) Roland Argenson: I feel worn and empty... but also full of power. For the first time in my life, I can actually reshape my future. (→ #21)
(#25) Roland Argenson: Who... What... Oh. [PlayerName]. That was you who saved me? Thank you, I really owe you one. That rock mantis really had me. (→ #26)
(#26) Multiple-choice:
- 0: You're injured. Hang on, let me patch that up. (→ #27)
(#27) Roland Argenson: I have some bandages on me, I can handle it myself. You keep going. (→ #28)
(#28) Multiple-choice:
- 0: Whoa whoa whoa, I'm coming with you. I don't want to have to bail you out again! (→ #29)
- 1: Fine by me. Don't get into any more trouble. (→ #30)
(#29) Roland Argenson: No. If I'm going to do this, I need to try to make it on my own. Give me a few minutes head start to get to the heart of the mountain, alright? (→ end)
(#30) Roland Argenson: Right. I’ll try to avoid running into anything else lethal today. Thanks. (→ end)
(#31) (He is barely conscious) (→ end)
Whispering Bones #2
(#0) Roland Argenson: You’re the one who really handled that fight. You should be the one to report on all the juicy details. (→ end)
(#1) Roland Argenson: We did it. We killed a damn shell horror! And I’m not dead! (→ #2)
(#2) Multiple-choice:
- 0: You carried your weight there. Good work. (→ #3)
- 1: What do you mean "we"? I did all the work! (→ #4)
(#3) Roland Argenson: For the first time in my life, it really feels like I did. Thanks for everything, [PlayerName]. Let's rip a trophy off this thing and show Gabriella, eh? (→ end)
(#4) Roland Argenson: I... I guess you did, didn't you. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have... Let's just go report this to Gabriella and get on with stopping whatever is going on. (→ end)
(#5) Roland Argenson: I’m sorry that I didn’t help you, I just... I couldn’t... I was scared, alright? There, I said it! I’m sorry! Let’s just... Let’s just go report to Gabriella. (→ #6)
(#6) Multiple-choice:
- 0: You wouldn’t have been any help anyway. Go home, Roland, you’re not cut out for this stuff. (→ end)
- 1: It happens. Don’t let it get to you. Just do better next time. I’ll see you in Berg, yeah? (→ end)
(#7) Roland Argenson: Greetings. I hope you’re well! (→ end)
(#8) Roland Argenson: There's no way I'm ready to take down a shell horror! Those things are massive! I don't know how to work my Mana yet either... (→ #9)
(#9) Multiple-choice:
- 0: I’m not prepared either. I need to take some time to get ready for this. (→ #10)
- 1: What's wrong with your Mana? You're able to summon that sword just fine. (→ #11)
- 2: It’s time to kill that green horror! Meet me at the Cabal of Winds Temple. (→ #14)
(#10) Roland Argenson: Yeah, great minds think alike. I’m going to keep training too. (→ end)
(#11) Roland Argenson: Yes, but... it bends a lot while I have it out. And it feels blunt half the time I swing it. My Mana reserves are huge, but I can’t seem to focus them properly. (→ #12)
(#12) Multiple-choice:
- 0: I wonder... Maybe we can find someone to make you a tool that makes it easier to focus that thing? (→ #13)
(#13) Roland Argenson: I'm sure there's a smith somewhere in this city skilled enough. Could you ask him for me? (→ end)
(#14) Roland Argenson: Right. We'll never know unless we try. See you at the old temple. You’ve seen it, right? It’s that large ruin on top of the mountain in Enmerkar. (→ end)
(#15) Roland Argenson: Gabriella chewed me out over letting a rock mantis get the better of me. I should really pay more attention to my surroundings. (→ end)
Whispering Bones #3
(#0) Roland Argenson: I can't talk. I need to pay attention and make sure no more ghosts sneak up on Gabriella! (→ end)
(#1) Roland Argenson: Thank Elatt you made it. I really don't like the look of this mess. She already added her entire spirit to the Ancestral Memories. They're in agony! Can you hear them? Can you see them? (→ #2)
(#2) Multiple-choice:
- 0: No, Roland, I can't. How bad is it? (→ #3)
(#3) Roland Argenson: Really? You can't see it? The Ancestral Memories are in a frenzied storm around that altar, and there's this huge streak of red winding around it... (→ #4)
(#4) Roland Argenson: Looks like we caught it early enough. That woman's spirit is still being resisted by the rest of the memories. We might be able to do something about this. (→ #5)
(#5) Roland Argenson: I think... I think I might be able to use my mana sword to cut her spirit out of that mess. It's risky but if I jam the blade in just the right spot, we have a chance. (→ #6)
(#6) Roland Argenson: Stand back! Once I start cutting, memories and ghosts will start pouring out of that storm! (→ #7)
(#7) Multiple-choice:
- 0: But you're going to get caught in that! (→ #8)
- 1: Oh great. Don't mess this up, Roland. (→ #10)
(#8) Roland Argenson: Yeah, I am... but I don't see any other option. Rissa said if we lose these Ancestral Memories, the whole Collective will suffer. (→ #9)
(#9) Multiple-choice:
- 0: Are you sure you can handle this? (→ #10)
(#10) Roland Argenson: Yeah. Yeah, I'm sure. I can handle this. I know exactly what I have to do. Now stand back, and let me work. (→ #11)
(#11) (As Roland plants his mana sword into the air around the altar, a violent burst of blue energy blinds you. Then, a woman’s scream breaks the air, and red energy rushes past you) (→ #12)
(#12) (As the brilliant light fades, Roland remains, his eyes glowing with a strange, fey light.) (→ end)
(#13) Roland Argenson: I'm not sure... but it's the best shot we've got. Stand back. Here goes nothing. (→ #14)
(#14) (As Roland plants his mana sword into the air around the altar, a violent burst of blue energy blinds you. Then, a woman’s scream breaks the air, and red energy rushes past you) (→ #15)
(#15) (Roland stares ahead, empty and cold. His spirit has almost completely left his body, and it is starting to shut down.) (→ #16)
(#16) (With a jerk of a motion, he grips your arm, and then falls to the ground. He succeeded at his task, at the cost of his life...) (→ end)
(#17) Roland Argenson: I'm not sure... but it's the best shot we've got. Stand back. Here goes nothing. (→ #18)
(#18) (As Roland plants his mana sword into the air around the altar, a violent burst of blue energy blinds you. Then, a woman’s scream breaks the air, and red energy rushes past you) (→ end)
(#19) Roland Argenson: Honestly, I don't care. If we don't do something, this could destroy Berg. It could destroy the entire Collective. Even if I can't handle it, I have to try. (→ #20)
(#20) (As Roland plants his mana sword into the air around the altar, a violent burst of blue energy blinds you. Then, a woman’s scream breaks the air, and red energy rushes past you) (→ #21)
(#21) Roland Argenson: I... am... We are... I am Jarinda. I am... Why am I in this... body? (→ #22)
(#22) Roland Argenson: [PlayerName]... I have her... I have her... I can't hold... Her here forever... Kill her... Before she... (→ #23)
(#23) Roland Argenson: I will not... allow it! I must endure! I must survive! (→ end)
(#24) Roland Argenson: She's already done serious damage to them. So many of the Memories are tainted with red... It's hard to tell where she ends and where the Ancestral Memories begin. (→ #5)