#also thinking of like boss monsters who have slightly different souls from regular monsters

[dabidagoose]

My brain is so gone at this time of night but ahh!!! I hadn't even considered ralsei knowingly deceiving us I just imagined him not knowing the truth.... Ohoho that would be so spicy. In a few chapters we get a new image of the prophecy as told by someone else who has no reason to lie. And finally we see a heart.

A HUMAN,

A MONSTER,

And a PRINCE FROM THE DARK

[pyreo]

deltarune megapost

I wanted to make a Deltarune post about the lore and the things that aren’t  obvious. And once I do that I wanna focus on why Mettaton is incredibly important to this setting

And also why he poses a problem

Why did Toriel and Asgore get divorced?

Without the setting of Undertale, Asgore and Toriel’s marriage still broke up after they had Asriel. There needs to be a reason though. In UT it was Asgore’s ‘worst of both worlds’ decision regarding killing anybody that fell from the human world, including children. We saw how close they were before this happened. Only something deep and serious caused that rift. In Deltarune, what on earth did Asgore do?

What happened to Dess?

Mentioned a handful of times by Noelle, Dess was her older sister and is mentioned In Undertale.... in that Xbox exclusing casino thing. The way Noelle talks about her, the conspicuous way Noelle gets locked out of her big house - it implies Dess is gone or deceased. Berdly recalls a spelling bee when he and Noelle were younger where she, despite being smarter than him, misspelled ‘December’, allowing him to win.

In the two-player spelling puzzle, it also spells out ‘December’ as Noelle recalls the past and her silhouette regresses to a child while she does so. Being distracted by her sister’s disappearance, rather than pure shyness, could account for her misspelling her name on stage, and it clearly left a big psychological mark for her to have this visual regression in the Dark World.

However, there’s a graveyard in Hometown with no Dess. I heard another theory that she has been missing for years, because where each character’s personal room is made by Queen to reflect their tastes via their search results, Noelle has a calendar where every day is December 25th. This could imply that Noelle continually searches the internet for ‘December Holiday’, her sister’s name, to see if there are clues to her disappearance, but of course the only result you would get is the date of Christmas.

Who is the Knight?

It’s now implied to be Kris, who has been forcibly removing the player’s influence to act on their own. By all accounts the Knight is the game’s main antagonist. Spade King and Queen both mention the Knight as someone who influenced their position - they brought Spade King to absolute power, and showed Queen that creation of new worlds was possible.

We’re led to believe that Kris was doing this, because they’ve been acting outside of the player’s control. Eating the entire pie between chapter 1 and 2 might have been a red herring to cover that they also went to the library and used that knife to slash open a dark fountain there.

However. This has issues. How would they even manage to shuffle slowly all the way to the library and get in the computer lab? The Knight is also the one creating the hidden bosses. They talked to Jevil until he realised he was in a game and he lost his mind; they ruined Spamton’s life by elevating him to success and then crushing him. Whatever the Knight is doing seems to be deliberately planned with key players in mind.

Kris opening the fountain at home at the end of ch.2 can be explained in that you just figured out in Cyber World that anyone determined enough can do this, and so, Kris decided to. So a better question might even be...

What does Kris want?

We have no idea. They are capable of removing the SOUL, ‘us’, temporarily, and putting things in motion we cannot influence. But they also keep putting us back in control afterward. This is hinted at right when ch.2 starts, where if you inspect the cage in Kris’s bedroom they threw us into, the description says it’s inescapable. Meaning Kris came back and took us out, willingly.

They allow us to pilot them through the game. Why? Because they cannot live without the SOUL for long for some reason? Because they’re bad at bullet hell? Why did they slash Toriel’s tyres before opening the fountain, making sure nobody could drive away?? Why did they specifically open the door?

You can find out details about Kris through the creepy way you interact with the townsfolk, who think you are Kris. They play the piano at the hospital waiting room - better than you. They used to go to church just to get the special church juice. It’s all normal, relatable things, not like someone who’s trying to plunge the world into darkness. Judging by their search history portrayed in their Queen’s castle room, they really want to see their brother again. However the castle has a room based on Asriel’s search history too, and Kris (not you) closes their eyes and won’t look at it.

What is Ralsei?

His name is an anagram of Asriel. Is he an extension of Asriel? The slightly flirtier dialogue in ch.2 would point to no. Is he an extension of Kris themselves, given the link between Kris’s childhood habit of wearing a headband with red horns on it, to pretend to be a monster like their family?

Ralsei knows exactly where the Dark World in the school is located, and unlike regular Darkners, knows the world is folded up inside the ‘real world’. There’s a certain whiplash to Ralsei telling you to hop out of his reality into yours and go down the hallway to retrieve all the board game items.

How does he jump from one Dark World to another, without assistance? How does he not get petrified like Lancer and Rouxls? Is this a power level thing because he’s a prince or something else? We definitely do not know enough about Ralsei.

He also says this incredibly suspicious thing after you spare Spamton NEO. Susie was also curious but accepts that maybe it ‘didn’t mean anything’, which is a sure tell that these optional bosses do mean something.

Someone is orchestrating what’s happening, opening fountains, manipulating the rulers, and influencing NPCs to become the optional bosses. Why? I suspect Ralsei for both knowing too much, and pretending something doesn’t matter when it clearly does. Until Asriel actually comes home from college I’m going to suspect he’s involved in this too.

How much does Seam know?

Seam on the other hand knows a lot about what’s going on but is openly withholding information while helping you. He’s nihilistic. He says things like:

One day soon... You too, will begin to realize the futility of your actions. Ha ha ha... At that time, feel free to come back here. I'll make you tea... And we can toast... to the end of the world!

Either this ‘end of the world’ is a reference to The Roaring, where opening too many dark fountains dooms the Dark World and the real one... or, I can’t get out of my head the idea that Deltarune takes place in a fake, or weird reconstruction of Undertale where things don’t match up, and eventually it will have to disappear. After all, powers of determination and creating and manipulating universes are Undertale’s basic bread and butter. How can we look at an Alternate Universe containing the characters we already know and not suspect that? Seam also uses Gaster’s key words, ‘darker, yet darker’, seemingly to clue us in that he’s not off track here.

Why haven’t we seen Papyrus?

This is a bright neon flashing ‘something’s not right’ sign. It’s not like Papyrus’s voice actor was too busy or anything. His absence is noticable and for a reason. Nice of Sans to promise we could meet him despite being aware we’re piloting a child’s body around, though, even if he didn’t follow through.

What locations in town could be used for dark fountains in the next 4 chapters?

If the sequence continues, we have chapter 1 in the school games room, chapter 2 in a computer lab, and chapter 3 in front of Kris’s television, where the aesthetic of each setting influences the world, characters, and enemies in the Dark World created there. Future possibilities include the church, the hospital, sans’s grocery store, Noelle’s house, and the closed bunker.

What the hell’s in the closed bunker

This one’s too obvious, honestly. I think it’ll open for no reason in chapter 7 and a little white dog will bounce out and steal one of your key items and nothing else happens.

Why does Asgore have these

Unlike the bunker feeling like a joke teaser, I gotta believe this is foreshadowing something weird. For example, what does opening a dark fountain in here with the seven flowers do? Does it just take you into Undertale?

Each chapter will have a hidden boss with a ‘soul mode’ from Undertale

Chapter 1 let you stay red, but I think each subsequent chapter is going to change your soul mode to one of the seven colours and design the encounter around that. Purple, yellow, green and blue were used in Undertale, leaving the light blue and orange modes yet to be revealed.

How does Spamton emulate Mettaton Neo’s name, body, and incorporate his battle theme, and the ‘Dummy!’ theme, with no actual connection between them ingame?

This is a really fun one that’s explained over in this post here. Swatch is the Dark World creation from the paint program on the library computers, so he’s able to explain that a Lightner made the robot body decaying in the castle basement that way.

Mettaton went to the library and drew his ideal form, Mettaton NEO, in MS Paint, and the Dark World formed that into a puppet body which Spamton was able to hijack temporarily. So by doing that Spamton was able to channel Mettaton’s appearance, attacks, music, and SOUL mode for the fight.

This might mean that the future hidden bosses, each with their own SOUL mode, might be based on the associated character for that mode (Muffet, Undyne, and Sans or Papyrus), and the boss will take on some aspect of them from their world to leech their fight mechanics.

The Problem With Mettaton

We don’t exactly know what Deltarune is about. It’s an alternate universe where the characters from Undertale already live on the surface, have completely normal lives, but diverge from the storyline of Undertale and, crucially, have not lived through the changes Frisk brought to their lives.

Remember how Undertale had a dozen different ending routes depending on who you befriended? The constant reinforcement in Undertale was that your choices mattered. Through Frisk, you chose to bring Alphys closure about her mistakes, you chose to befriend papyrus instead of attacking him, you chose to help Alphys and Undyne realise their feelings for each other and it’s only doing that that leads to the golden ending and escape to the surface.

Deltarune is the opposite, your choices do not matter. The only thing you can do to force the route of the game to change is to force Noelle into a No Mercy run, which is indirect, and also, a total desperation to mess with an otherwise set course. This version of the characters have not been helped by Frisk - Undyne and Alphys are not together, Papyrus has no friends, Asgore cannot get over himself, and they’re clearly the worse for it, but potentially, you COULD still do these things. In fact it’s hinted that you already are.

But there’s Mettaton.

He’s still a ghost and does not leave his house. In Frisk’s world, Gaster deleted himself, promoting Alphys to royal scientist by bluffing with Mettaton, and she then build him his ideal body. In Kris’s world... Alphys is a school teacher. There’s no barrier to break, no reason to experiment on souls, no Flowey mistake, and no body for Mettaton.

It was sad in Ch.1, but now with the Spamton NEO fight in ch.2, it’s unmissable. Mettaton wants that body and he cannot get it. Alphys in this universe is not going to leave her teaching job and suddenly be able to build a robot. Mettaton is just... screwed out of his happy ending and cannot get it.

So what resolution could this have? If it wasn’t for Mettaton I might believe in the vaildity of Deltarune and Hometown. But. How can you doom this character? If Undertale was the only way Mettaton could be befriended, then Undertale is Primary Universe A and Seam is right - the world of Deltarune is doomed as some kind of aberration. It all relies on how this gets explained in the future, but the core mystery of Deltarune is how exactly this universe intersects with Undertale and whether one is an offshoot of the other. How the Dark World links into that is another complication. But even as we get more fun characters and neat stuff in the Dark Worlds, let’s not forget we have absolutely no idea why Undertale’s characters are living here with no mention of underground or why there are no other humans beside Kris.

[iced-souls]

So I’ve thought of something.

What if there’s an au where frisk goes through the pacifist route and dies (I’m thinking to asgore), but dies dies. Like no determination in there soul resets them back to their save point. They just die, and asgore gets their soul. Buuuuuut, in toriels next visit with sans, she finds out about it. And when she then she leaves to just go think. At first she’s sad that she failed to save 8 human children, but then she starts blaming it all on asgore, since he’s the one to actually kill 7 of them. And then she starts blaming the rest of monsterkind for not trying to do something to stop it. (She isn’t really being a hypocrite because she tried doing 2 things to stop it, the first being leaving asgore and monsterkind, to try and give some sense to asgore, (which she did and he already knew but he felt he HAD to do something against the humans to show them what THEY did was wrong AND to give monsters hope.) and the second being trying to keep the kids from leaving the ruins. While they may not be the best choices, it’s was still something.) anyways, she kinda stops having any care for monsterkind anymore, and I mean. ANY. And leaves the ruins to start….. giving monsters what she believes they deserve. She does nothing in the ruins cause no monsters in there really did anything in her eyes so ya.

So, for some people this may look like dusttale but with toriel, but no. No it is not. Yes it is one character doing genocide, buuuut there’s still some of toriels…. Personality (?) to take into the story that makes it different I guess. And the fact it’s not to stop frisk but to avenge frisk. Plus ruins gang be sipping spider cider durin all this so ya.

At this time, asgore probably needed to calm himself after collecting the final human soul, and another corpse. So he’s havin tea probably, meaning he isn’t breaking the barrier yet. And probably isn’t going to until he either makes an announcement about what he is going to do, incase something goes wrong I guess.

Basically toriel goes through all the districts killing off monsters one by one. And seeing how she is an immortal boss monster who has been through a war, she’s probably stronger than all of them. There’s only a few she spares. The ruins people. In Snowdin: sans. . . . In waterfall: gerson(old people gang) and Nabstablook.(partially because they can’t actually die but mainly cause their a friend from the ruins I guess so she understands them a little more.) in Hotland: . . . In core: . . . In New Home: . . . In Home: . . . And in judgement hall: . . . .

There’s more to the story for some of the people, like papyrus and a person she meets again in the big hallway. And you could say hotland got a little hotter that day.

She meets up with the only person capable of standing up to her as a fellow immortal boss monster who took part in a war in the throne room. And then they have a UWAAAA COOL EPIC ANIME FIGHT WOOT WOOOOOOT!

Now either I’m thinking she wins cause she got a HECK ton of LV. And she proceeds to maybe i dunno. Bake a pie? She did what she wanted to do. So she thinks. And thinks. And thinks about how she is alone again. And thinks about the lives she’s killed. And now she’s stuck on what to do next. She doesn’t feel like what she did was wrong, maybe a liiiiiiiiiittle bit, but LV can do that ya. Can’t it. So she’s basically living her slightly less regular life. Visiting her past friends death site regularly. And sometimes going to visit the monsters she left alive. The ruins door now left open. The people never ask about getting to the surface. And are left to try and live a newer life in the underground. Riverperson gets found out one day but toriel decides to spare them seeing them as helpful in getting around he districts faster. The ruins gang, gerson, Nabstablook, and riverperson were never particularly fully engaged with the idea of getting to the surface as much as the rest of some monsters were, so no one falls down from losing hope on getting there. Perhaps, another fallen human could help them, or join them. Not the best ending. Kinda dark. Kinda sad.

Or asgore wins and breaks the barrier seeing that that is all he can do next. He kills himself after though because he doesn’t want the look of human souls on him or the new LV he had gained from toriel to affect others around him. Gerson and Nabstablook get the ruins gang out of the ruins to go to the surface together, and find riverperson along the riverbed and they decide to come along too, seeing they are the only ones left in a now ruined underground. Gerson is like their leader considering he’s the oldest and the wisest among them. And humans being kinda wiser in the future see the small group of monsters left and give them mercy. They have their own little town and dedicate it towards the underground. Nabstablook and gerson live together, and gerson decides to run a half garden shop in his last remaining lives to dedicate it to some old friends. When gerson passes on, riverperson takes over, Nabstablook not feeling up to the task, but they aren’t as “rulerly” as you would suspect a leader to be. I suppose it’s a happier ending. Kinda dark. But nice.

Also realize that toriel did more damage then frisk could do in a genocide route. Toriel literally took out monsterkind, every house, the place monsters evacuated to in the lab, everywhere. No one hiding it out lived.

(By the way, flowey isn’t gonna be around cause I’m guessing he wasn’t expecting frisk to die die. Expecting them to reset. Not expecting seeing who he kinda thought was his best friend die (a second time) so he probably just leaves (ha. leaves. As in his plant leaves lol) having kinda given up in a way. Not knowing what to do next. So toriel never interacts with him. But if or when she does, she gonna kill him considering she remembers him from his little interaction with frisk at the beginning.)

But ya. That’s mostly it. I have more thoughts but don’t feel like writing it out today. If you wanna know more let me know!

[lost1swanderingsoul]

Is It a Good Thing Dreams Aren’t Real?

09/27/19

6:07am

I was asleep on the crosswalk; the south side of a four way road.  There’s an eerie feeling, and the surroundings are slightly grim. I lay down to go back to sleep when I see something across the way. A shadow? It almost looked like a skull. I got up, without thinking, I was at the end of the road. A fog rolling over gave the streets a glow reflected from the moon. I could hear mechanic clanking; an abandoned warehouse. Walking closer a shadow appeared. Blacker than night, and red glowing eyes. It was terrifying, but my body moved on its own, running through the figure. Past the stranger I could see the light for the end of the road. An exit. Adrenaline pushed me faster to the corner, but when I turned the home I knew was gone. The once eerie street was now lit up with yellow and orange lights. Car like structures were hanging from steel wire. Going back and forth from different destinations. The people however, were nowhere to be seen. A hand grasped my shoulder. I jumped around and saw a man; much taller than any man I'd seen. He was thin, with pale clothes that matched his skin. When I looked at his face there was nothing, but my mind could see what he looked like. As if he were in a photograph, with his face rubbed, and faded. 

"Hello dear,” his voice was low and smooth, “Why have you come here? You do not belong." In a way it was soothing, but with his appearance attached I remained uneasy. 

"I followed the shadow of a man. I don't know what drew me to it. But when I turned the corner I was met with a,” don’t say monster, “He seemed almost familiar, but I couldn't see who he was." It felt so real, as if I could die at any moment. I'm aware, now, that I am dreaming. I can always wake up. I like to see where my mind will take me while I'm asleep, so I follow the man into the warehouse. 

Inside the gate I saw a welcoming face; my papa, inside working away. Why here? Watching the man I picked up that he was the boss. As he told people what to do, and explained why we were there. My papa had joined us as the man showed us the property. When the halls filled with people, each one had dirty clothes and black hands from hard work. The boss led us through the crowd. Some men bump into my papa. I glared at each of them. They seemed afraid of me. But I realized shortly after that the boss had started walking behind me. It was him they were afraid of.

We finally reached a side room. Empty aside for some chairs. There was a larger man, not as tall as the boss-man, head shaven; those hollow eyes that  sent chills down my spine.

"You grandfather should get back to work now," the boss patted my head, "you'll see him before you go." I can't remember if I said anything to my papa or if he just left, but as soon as he was gone the mood changed. The larger man was snarling in anger.

"She made them fall out of line!" his shouts had no effect, "She caused them to lose their place and now they are lost!" The large man continues to hiss and spit. A few men randomly appear, the "lost" men. In dreams you just know things, whether the information is all there or not. I could tell these men had no soul; they were husks of what used to be. The boss-man grew in size, a dark shadow growing around him.

"Silence," his voice booming through the room, "You will not speak of her that way." His mouth spread across his face and his eyes tinted red. For just a second he looked like a monster. Soon as the words left his mouth, he turned back to his normal self. "Go. Get out." The larger man sent a glare towards me as he walked to the door. The lost men vanished.

"You've grown soft ⇴🀱☸⛬⛫⛯. You better keep watch on your fragile possession," the door slammed behind him. The room was now empty, aside from the boss and me. The boss turned to me and smiled.

"It's time for you to go home Little One," he placed a hand on my back as he led me out of the warehouse. Outside the gate my papa was waiting for me. A feeling of unease washes over me. I turn back to look at the boss one more time, but I'm standing on the edge of the crossroad. The warehouse is gone, and I am alone.

My dreams take me to a different place, with nothing to do with the warehouse or boss-man. A random scenario in the store with the family. As the regular dream ends, a new one begins. I'm on the edge of the crossroad. The moonlit night reflecting off the fog. And a stranger across the way.

I try to move but I'm stuck in place. It's not the right time, I have to wait. I turn to get in bed when I see my sister. I'm not alone this time. I try to tell her about the boss man, but she thinks I'm telling stories. She begins to tell me of her own characters. Their different personas and names. Then she begins to change, like an animation. Each new character she described, she would change art styles. She started to hyperventilate, "What's going on?" At the end of her words she is dragged across the road. Toward the shadow man. I ran after her, the same as before I turned the corner and saw the shadow with glowing eyes. Keep running. I run through the shadow and to the end of the street. That same yellow light and cars on steel wire. Where is my sister? A familiar hand rests on my shoulder.

"You shouldn't have come back," the low smooth voice of the boss relaxes me. Even though his words are threatening. This dream I react differently. I hug the tall man. A feeling of comfort washes through me. I feel relieved, knowing that I had not lost my tall stranger.

"I'm here for you. I wanted to see you again. My sister came with me. I don't know where they took her." His face still faded, but the knowledge of this dream tells me he is concerned. I follow him into the warehouse. This time it's different. My papa is nowhere to be seen, and the halls are empty. The walls are black instead of grey, and there is less light than before. The atmosphere is heavy and unsettling. My dream skips and I'm in a room. It's still the warehouse but the boss man is not with me. My sister is here with several others. 

"Look our mom and dad are here," she pulls me to the others. I recognize no one. A man with dark hair goes through a monologue of being our long lost father. He looks like a knight. The woman who claims to be our mother has bright red hair. She weeps and she tells her side, she was also separated from us. The dream skips again and we are inside one of the wire track cars. I sense we are trying to run away, but from what I don't know. We go up higher and higher, until we see the end of the track. Everyone seems to think we will be fine, that we will keep going up. My heart starts to rush, as we fling off the track and start falling. Faster and faster, no ground in site. Just falling. Then my alarm goes off.

In the real world, I still have this uneasy feeling. That lingering fear that nightmares leave. A part of me wants to go back to sleep. To dream again. I don't know why I felt so connected with that boss man. I don't know why I felt they were going to follow me out of my dreams. Until I calmed myself down, I kept "hoping" in a sense that he would be real. That I would look out my bathroom window and he would be there.

09/27/19

5:32pm

I have finally finished typing out this story. I have thought of these dreams all day. He still has not shown up. It was just a dream. He was never real...

@1000roughdrafts

[lost1-wandering-soul]

Is It a Good Thing Dreams aren’t Real?

09/27/19

6:07am

I was asleep on the crosswalk; the south side of a four way road.  There’s an eerie feeling, and the surroundings are slightly grim. I lay down to go back to sleep when I see something across the way. A shadow? It almost looked like a skull. I got up, without thinking, I was at the end of the road. A fog rolling over gave the streets a glow reflected from the moon. I could hear mechanic clanking; an abandoned warehouse. Walking closer a shadow appeared. Blacker than night, and red glowing eyes. It was terrifying, but my body moved on its own, running through the figure. Past the stranger I could see the light for the end of the road. An exit. Adrenaline pushed me faster to the corner, but when I turned the home I knew was gone. The once eerie street was now lit up with yellow and orange lights. Car like structures were hanging from steel wire. Going back and forth from different destinations. The people however, were nowhere to be seen. A hand grasped my shoulder. I jumped around and saw a man; much taller than any man I'd seen. He was thin, with pale clothes that matched his skin. When I looked at his face there was nothing, but my mind could see what he looked like. As if he were in a photograph, with his face rubbed, and faded. 

"Hello dear,” his voice was low and smooth, “Why have you come here? You do not belong." In a way it was soothing, but with his appearance attached I remained uneasy. 

"I followed the shadow of a man. I don't know what drew me to it. But when I turned the corner I was met with a,” don’t say monster, “He seemed almost familiar, but I couldn't see who he was." It felt so real, as if I could die at any moment. 

I'm aware, now, that I am dreaming. I can always wake up. I like to see where my mind will take me while I'm asleep, so I follow the man into the warehouse. 

Inside the gate I saw a welcoming face; my papa, inside working away. Why here? Watching the man I picked up that he was the boss. As he told people what to do, and explained why we were there. My papa had joined us as the man showed us the property. When the halls filled with people, each one had dirty clothes and black hands from hard work. The boss led us through the crowd. Some men bump into my papa. I glared at each of them. They seemed afraid of me. But I realized shortly after that the boss had started walking behind me. It was him they were afraid of.

We finally reached a side room. Empty aside for some chairs. There was a larger man, not as tall as the boss-man, head shaven; those hollow eyes that  sent chills down my spine.

"Your grandfather should get back to work now," the boss patted my head, "you'll see him before you go." I can't remember if I said anything to my papa or if he just left, but as soon as he was gone the mood changed. The larger man was snarling in anger.

"She made them fall out of line!" his shouts had no effect, "She caused them to lose their place and now they are lost!" The large man continued to hiss and spit. A few men randomly appear, the "lost" men. In dreams you just know things, whether the information is all there or not. I could tell these men had no soul; they were husks of what used to be. The boss-man grew in size, a dark shadow growing around him.

"Silence," his voice booming through the room, "You will not speak of her that way." His mouth spread across his face and his eyes tinted red. For just a second he looked like a monster. Soon as the words left his mouth, he turned back to his normal self. "Go. Get out." The larger man sent a glare towards me as he walked to the door. The lost men vanished.

"You've grown soft ⇴🀱☸⛬⛫⛯. You better keep watch on your fragile,” he paused looking at me, “possession." The door slammed behind him. The room was now empty, aside from the boss and me.

He turned to me and smiled, "It's time for you to go home Little One." He placed a hand on my back as he led me out of the warehouse. Outside the gate my papa was waiting for me. A feeling of unease washes over me. I turn back to look at the boss one more time, but I'm standing on the edge of the crossroad. The warehouse is gone, and I am alone.

My dreams take me to a different place, with nothing to do with the warehouse or boss-man. A random scenario in the store with the family. As the regular dream ends, a new one begins. I'm on the edge of the crossroad. The moonlit night reflecting off the fog, and a stranger across the way.

I try to move but I'm stuck in place. It's not the right time, I have to wait. I turn to get in bed when I see my sister. I'm not alone this time. I try to tell her about the boss-man, but she thinks I'm telling stories. She begins to tell me of her own characters. Their different personas and names. Then she begins to change, like an animation. Each new character she described, she would change art styles. She started to hyperventilate, "What's going on?" At the end of her words she is dragged across the road. Toward the shadow man. I ran after her, the same as before, I turned the corner and saw the shadow with glowing eyes. Keep running. I run through the shadow to the end of the street. That same yellow light and cars on steel wire. Where is my sister? A familiar hand rests on my shoulder.

"You shouldn't have come back." The low smooth voice of the boss relaxes me., even though his words are threatening. This dream I react differently. I hug the tall man. A feeling of comfort washes through me. I feel relieved, knowing that I had not lost my tall stranger.

"I'm here for you. I wanted to see you again. My sister came with me. I don't know where they took her." His face still faded, but the knowledge of this dream tells me he is concerned. I follow him into the warehouse. This time it's different. My papa is nowhere to be seen, and the halls are empty. The walls are black instead of grey, and there is less light than before. The atmosphere is heavy and unsettling. My dream skips and I'm in a room. It's still the warehouse but the boss man is not with me. My sister is here with several others. 

"Look our mom and dad are here," she pulls me to the others. I recognize no one. A man with dark hair goes through a monologue of being our long lost father. He looks like a knight. The woman who claims to be our mother has bright red hair. She weeps as she tells her side, she was also separated from us. The dream skips again and we are inside one of the wire track cars. I sense we are trying to run away, but from what I don't know. We go up higher and higher, until we see the end of the track. Everyone seems to think we will be fine, that we will keep going up. My heart starts to rush, as we fling off the track and start falling. Faster and faster, no ground in site. Just falling. Then my alarm goes off.

In the real world, I still have this uneasy feeling. That lingering fear that nightmares leave. A part of me wants to go back to sleep. To dream again. I don't know why I felt so connected with that boss-man. I don't know why I felt they were going to follow me out of my dreams. Until I calmed myself down, I kept "hoping,” in a sense, that he would be real. That I would look out my window and he would be there.

09/27/19

5:32pm

I have finally finished typing out this story. I have thought of these dreams all day. He still has not shown up. It was just a dream. He was never real...

@1000roughdrafts

[halfusek]

BATIM SPOILERS AHEAD

SECRET MESSAGES FROM CHAPTERS 1 - 5

With a sort of analysis/shitposting on my side? Yea.

Chapter 1

There is like two walls with these, that’s a lot. Is he... aware from the beginning now? I mean someone’s crossing this and Henry is implied to be leaving these messages so...?

Choose your fighter.

Ok wow harsh.  Haven’t you seen all these cool AUs in his house?

Also can I just point out how... Joey... literally... drew... the Studio...

Oh, my bad.

He drew STUDIOS. Because the damn thing keeps happening over and over again.

Oh fuck if that’s the case then that is clever. I made puns about him drawing the studio before, wish I did something with it before Chapter 5 dropped, that would be hilarious to look back at fvdfjkvnfkj

That’s just depressing. But like... yeah...

Wow Henry you must be a proud mom now

Hey remember when DAGames played Chapter 4 and was interrupting Alice Angel’s monologue by telling her to stop watch him poop

It spells “There never was a choice.” (never underlined)

Those messages are either hilarious or straight up depressing.

It’s... kinda sweet how Henry from the past (pasts) helps his future self (selfs). And encourages.

I’m pretty sure she’s got many hearts in her stock.

STOP WATCHING ME POOP

Henry what the fuck

The falling human made out of the two Ls, the Y and the splatters above it-

Fuck.

GASPS NO WAY

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. He is not the creator of the cartoons. He is the creator OF THIS WHOLE FUCKING STUDIO AND EVERYONE IN IT. Like it’s maybe a sort of obvious thought but when you let it sink in... damn

Rest of the chapters under the cut because it’s really long

Chapter 2

ARE THOSE IRL BODIES? YES? NO? SYMBOLS OF THEIR SOULS BEING TRAPPED HERE? WHAT???

Do you remember that? Or only slightly? Oh man. “I should have warned him” thoughts and then you get a pissed off boy in Chapter 5.

COME ON NOW

Ok. How. How did you write anything there. When. The only time he’s aware would be right after Sammy hits him with the dustpan. So is he like fainting and writing it? So he wouldn’t be able to write anything else like SAMMY IS GOING TO KNOCK YOU OUT WITH A FUCKING DUST PAN because yeah he’s passing out so it’s just... OUCH! Also to confirm this he is facing the way he’s facing when he’s on the floor. God that’s both shitposty and depressing. Nice.

Henry don’t be a dick

So you do sing 👀

I wonder how Henry figured out walking backwards to not trigger the Demon here and write this specific message. Also is Joey behind those closed doors because there’s the whistling.

Is he cooking

Chapter 3

Oh, hi.

Excuse me what

Henry is a Jacksepticeye fan confirmed

Joey is a man of ideas... and only ideas.

Which is why he created a studio, an OC based on a person he has a one sided crush on (me) from who he stole and claimed their OC as his, also made that stolen OC a thing and then made both of the OCs fight in an infinite loop in the massive studio which is behind his kitchen.

This both has a literal meaning but is also like a deeper general thought Henry do you want Joey to create a therapist OC you seem to have some problems

Why do these coffins hurt so much

Who are you asking Henry because Alice sure won’t fucking read that And why won’t you just write it with regular ink why you gotta do it like this

Why does he keep this thing secret? Did he make it? Probably since he’s the one leaving the messages Hmm

I fucking wheezed.

But also imagine Alice just giving her speech and Henry writing something on the wall with his finger Unless he doesn’t write that in a literal sense but like... spiritually Huh

THEY HAD DRINKS TOGETHER AND JOEY WAS PAYING FOR THEM AWW

He’s so fucking gay I swear to fucking gods.

Let’s hop on the existential crisis train, choo, choo.

How can you be kind to people who try to murder you

But this. This. Is such a good fucking work/life thought like damn. I love this game for those.

But are those just some thoughts Henry wanted to get out of his head or does it have something to do with the game because I’m kinda getting pacifist/neutral/genocide route vibes from this. But it it’s not the case it’s still pretty neat, we do meet them, we just don’t have the choice to treat them in some way most of the times.

It’s on level 14 and damn you game damn you yet again. I guess it can also be applied to that moment when The Projectionist is reaching out for Henry who is hidden in the Miracle Station? Like we don’t know what to expect of him because he had that small moment of realisation of... something. And he is also one of Henry’s “old friends”.

Is Is Ink Demon killing The Projectionist a symbol of Joey’s jealousness like Norman: *reaching out in curiosity, maybe to help* Joey: >:( my fren

Chapter 4

Thanks. Roll credits. So Chapter 4 is intentionally pointless in the terms of Henry trying to save Boris. THAT’S FUCKING SAD STOP IT

NOT. MY. DOG. YOU. BITCH.

So Henry is catching up. Joey does regret all that shit he did. I wonder how exactly does it tie here, with Bertie. Maybe that theory I had about Bendy Land being Hell for Bendy? :0c I don’t really think so but that’s a thought.

I’m losing my shit.

Okay that seems like another woke thought.

Henry can’t change not being able to save Boris.

Joey can’t change all of his mistakes. But Joey is the one making it happen over and over again so it might be slightly pointed at him?

Like, pal. Stop dwelling on your mistakes. Move on. Let me the fuck out.

This game is really heavy with this problem:

Move towards your goal, hope, believe, dream, don’t give up. Well actually do if it’s like super hard.

????? This is such a deep uuhhh analysis of this like one of most basics functions of how we people fucking work and live, what keeps us going. Holy shit I am IN LOVE with that.

But oof yeah Henry was and IS the one good at pushing Joey to do the right thing. Man...

Instead of trying to cheer you up lemme just write this message you can’t read real quick.

THAT WHOLE FUCKING THING WAS POINTLESS AND I’M LOWKEY MAD

;_; holy lord sweet baby jesus

Can Henry like be fine fun concept Meatly please

I suggest giving this a read if you as I weren’t familiar with that expression https://quoteinvestigator.com/2014/09/23/heels/

Of course it’s a pun on “Time heals all wounds” expression. The word “heels” there refers to contemptible people. Earliest citation: 1934 and it got more popular around that time till something around the 50s-60s according to that website at least. Neat.

That is interesting. I guess we can associate the door with Joey as well since Henry warns himself not to go through them? And the Demon drags Projectionist’s corpse through them. Sorta against his will, heeeeeeh.

They look like they could be interactive but I dunno :0c

Oh, yeah. That two-faced motherfucker. That’s my bitch.

HE GAVE THEM FUCKING NAMES

Chapter 5

I feel like it was kinda exaggerated. Henry they like saved your life twice or so, how salty can you be

OKAY LET ME TELL YOU ONE FUCKING THING

AT FIRST WHILE PLAYING I THOUGHT JOEY WROTE THOSE BECAUSE

I mean why the fuck would they drop this star outta nowhere AND HE IS EXTRA LIKE THIS

But then again there’s this “Don’t go through the door”

Unless Joey did contact him through this as well? But I’m assuming it only because of the stars vfnjksd Idk I like when symbols actualy uhhh symbolise something

ALSO YOU KNOW WHAT’S INTERESTING

This is pointing at ANOTHER way. Without the boat. Possibly the Valued Employee (take the long walk) achievement?

I would check it right fucking now but my saves are fucked and I would have to replay everything again and I’m just too tired hhhh

Also Valued Employee does sound like someone who listens to their boss right?

And I’m getting the impression it’s not all Henry’s writing because it seems as if there is a different personality present? Idk

That sounds like sort of both of them. Joey is cheering for Henry, even if he’s planning to make him go through all of this again. Does he... have to make him go through it? That’s a bit odd. Joey nani the fuck.

I like the idea of Joey saying this ok lemme dream vskjvnskjvs

But it could be Henry (past/present/whatever) trying to cheer himself up like he did with the “Don’t be scared” message (if that was also him)

Oh, Henry...

Once people That implies that real people got somehow affected, right?

I love the halo and the bone, also you can see the bone only if you give it to Boris in Chapter 3

Wait It is The whole fucking Ink Machine Is inside Holy

A cooking gay.

Ink Demon/Joey parallel implication. I don’t think he is Bendy in a straight up sense though. He is/was a soulless boss, just how soulless Bendy was/is. I wonder if there is a studio version of him or HHHHHH complicated stuff

Is it like When people create something good but they just don't know when to stop it eventually ends up really bad And the Demon took The End so his cartoon couldn't be finished and it all had to keep going, Joey had to keep going Hm?

So like there is no message on Henry’s second desk

But it does trigger the same dialogue AND IT HURTS

Actually a lot of people missed the arrows so just so you know

But I thought we don’t like doors

Also it’s the last hidden message so I do believe it has a special meaning

CONCLUSION get Henry outta here and give him loads of therapy

Is his fucking last name Stein because he made monsters via the Ink Machine by powering it goddamnit Joey don’t trick people into creating that shit

[osmw1]

Poison-Wielding Fugitive   Chapter 63

“…”

Celes had been brooding about who knows what the whole trip, but we’ve finally made it back to Lif’el. “We’re finally home…”

The haggard knight grumbles after knocking on Wayne’s door. Rurika cheerfully answers the door but her expression sours after seeing Celes in her sorry state.

“She’s been like that ever since stopped by a village and lifted a curse.”

“Huh… more importantly right now though, go take a look at your grandpa.” “What’s wrong?!”

Did his condition worsen?! Sensing something amiss, Celes perks up and rushes inside. In his room was the scene of Wayne striking a pose at us; his muscles glistening.

“Oh, welcome home! Somethin’ the matter?”

That’s our line! We were worried something happened to you, you old fart!

“Mu!”

Muu flexes too and begins imitating Wayne.

“… umm…”

We all turn our eyes toward Rurika.

“Since he hasn’t been able to work for so long, all of his pent-up energy is being unleashed all at once. Please, do something about him…”

That’s what it was? Jeez…

“So? What’d y’all bring home? I’ve come up with a few plans of my own too. I can work all night!”

… ugh. I wouldn’t have guessed that Wayne and Arleaf are related. He’s more like the proprietress—they’re both monsters brimming with energy.

“Uhh… in that case…” We hand over all the minerals we got from slaying the ore monsters and from mining.

“Whoa! That’s quite the biggun you bagged!” “Yeah, we couldn’t have taken down Safkrym without Celes, so save the best parts for her.” “You got it. Now, stand back and watch my hammer sing, boy.”

After giving the mats a once-over, Wayne starts the work on our equipment. Rurika—though exhausted from dealing with him—watches on with a tender smile. Still, better to be too full of energy rather than how he had been before. We head on over to the forge.

  While Celes already had an idea what she wanted to get made, Wayne planned something good for us. Everything’s been paid for already and our armor is finished too.

Elba Leather Coat (Toxic) Quality: Legendary Required level: 45 Bonus effects: Extreme Toxicity, Low Chance of Contracting Bloodflower or Dorimsvoyta, Magic Proficiency Increase (Medium), Water Resistance (Greater), Self-Regeneration, Cloaking, Camouflaging Skills Increase, Footstep Noise Reduction, Sensing, Curse Resistance (Medium) The hides of Elbatoxin—whose toxins are still imbued within— Crocgator, and King Boss Rat are stitched together to form this formidable piece of armor. Drains Mana while toxins poison the user. In exchange, all poison damage is maxed when this armor is equipped. Tougher than the average metallic armor and grants user Self-Regeneration at the cost of Mana. This magnificent work protects the user while granting the user deadly powers.

It’s called a coat, but it’s more like leather armor. The collar kinda looks like the frill on Elbatoxin’s neck. Maybe he chose leather armor for me because my skills are quite Ranger-like. It’s a huge leap from what we’ve been using up till now, eh? At least it’s leagues ahead of my old Smoke Armor.

‘The toxic nature of the armor would not normally allow any other human equip it. But for thee, ‘tis nothing but a boon.’

It’s so toxic, it could transmit deadly diseases. That said though, I haven’t caught either of them yet. Plus, I could use the Extreme Toxicity effect with my Poison Absorption to send my stats sky high. I tried it on and I could feel the warmth of Self-Regeneration slowly seeping into my body. And, it also slowly replenishes my stock of poison.

The only downside is that my natural recovery rate would be reduced. Still, it’s way better than my previous equipment all in all. I feel quicker on my feet than ever before. It’s just like the times where I had been in the poisonous swamp. Of course, they drilled into me the fact that no one else must put equip this Elba Leather Coat. The average joe would no doubt drop dead from putting this on.

I’m not sure exactly what it’s made of, but Arleaf received a beautiful set of robes. If I were to hazard a guess, it’s probably of a combination of Elbatoxin, wolf, and rat hides. From a cursory glance, it doesn’t look that much different from what she had been wearing before though. Wayne’s a blacksmith, right? All this sewing and stitching must be Rurika’s handiwork then.

Elba King Leather Vestment Quality: Superior Required level: 55 Bonus effects: Poison Resistance (Medium), Miasma Resistance (Medium), Magic Proficiency Increase (Greater), Magic Correction, Casting Time Reduction (Lesser), Voice of the Soul (Miniscule) The hides of Elbatoxin—whose toxins have been thoroughly removed—and other monsters have been cut incredibly thin and sewn together for this combat-ready dress. Drains Mana to repel poison and miasma, making gas masks redundant in light miasma. However, the voice of the dead would be ever so slightly perceivable to the user. In exchange, it grants the user resistant to dark magics. Allows user to slightly drain Mana from the souls of the departing.

The description is giving me real bad vibes. Will Arleaf really be okay equipping this? She said that after trying on the dress, these… triangular things would swarm onto her. That’s probably images of the King Boss Rat’s last moments, I’m guessing. Completing her set is a new staff. It’s a simple staff with a crystalline object affixed to the top of it.

Elba Lens Rod Quality: Superior Required level: Base level 50 Bonus effects: Magic Proficiency Increase (Medium), Dark Magic Proficiency Increase (Medium), Magic Attack Increase (Greater), Magical Accuracy Increase (Medium), Familiar Proficiency Increase (Medium) Low chance of bacterial magic activation under normal attacks. This staff uses the lens of Elbatoxin’s eyes as a catalyst.

Elbatoxin is really making himself useful after his death. It was a huge pain in the ass, but I guess the useful mats redeems it.

‘This is proof of the blacksmith’s skills… but never had I thought his work would be this splendid. Even in my hoard, I have nothing that can hold a candle to these treasures.’

Such high compliments from a connoisseur like you, Veno? Well… the Smoke Armor you gave me was pretty good too, wasn’t it? Not to forget, the stuff you gave me in the beginning was for easy to use for novices; of course, it’s going to be a huge difference.

Oh, and since Muu is a Warrior, it got a helmet and a cuirass made of metal. It must’ve been tough making armor to fit them. But it’s not like we haven’t tried stuffing him in regular armor though.

‘Forget not that Muu is a Myconid. In the past, I have seen before a Myconid in the shape of a particularly muscular human.’

Will Muu evolve into that? Despite sounding selfish, I would much rather Muu stay the way they are now.

‘Thou art being difficult for Muu… ‘tis not such a bad thing to become muscular, is it?’

Isn’t it? And suppose that Muu will naturally evolve, will it really become like that?

‘Let us worry about it when it happens.’

Right. He grew out of some mold on my robe. I think Muu still has that robe. I remember seeing it use it as a mat to sleep on top of. In any case, Wayne seemed to have made all of that while we were out on our trip.

contents: /ch001/ /ch002/ /ch003/ /ch004/ /ch005/ /ch006/ /ch007/ /ch008/ /ch009/ /ch010/ /ch011/ /ch012/ /ch013/ /ch014/ /ch015/ /ch016/ /ch017/ /ch018/ /ch019/ /ch020/ /ch021/ /ch022/ /ch023/ /ch024/ /ch025/ /ch026/ /ch027/ /ch028/ /ch029/ /ch030/ /ch031/ /ch032/ /ch033/ /ch034/ /ch035/ /ch036/ /ch037/ /ch038/ /ch039/ /ch040/ /ch041/ /ch042/ /ch043/ /ch044/ /ch045/ /ch046/ /ch047/ /ch048/ /ch049/ /ch050/ /ch051/ /ch052/ /ch053/ /ch054/ /ch055/ /ch056/ /ch057/ /ch058/ /ch059/ /ch060/ /ch061/ /ch062/ /ch063/ /next/

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[44dagainagain]

Diablo Beta Quest Text

The Diablo Beta only contains 10 quests:

The Butcher

Butcher Portal (partial)

Poison Water

The Skeleton King

The Maze (not really a quest)

Stones of Blood (partial)

The Magic Rock

The Bone Chamber

Halls of the Blind

Zhar the Mad

But there’s just over 100 lines of quest text in the beta EXE! There were clearly ideas for other quests that are missing in the beta. Either they were in the caves and beyond, or still in development.

Let’s take a look! Most of this is speculation based off previous musings at Diablo Evolution: https://diablo-evolution.net/index.php?pageid=quest

Andariel

  Men have been disappearing from the village!  I have seen a strange glowing light in the woods right before some of the men vanished. That's all I know!

  Human, your life is forfeit and your soul is mine! I shall enjoy ripping you apart for eternity!

  I don't know what else to tell you! Maybe you should go and look into the strange lights I've seen out in the woods.

  Demons that look like beautiful women! That's horrible! You must stop this madness, or we may all perish!

While neither Andariel nor succubi are explicitly mentioned, “demons that look like beautiful women” makes it pretty clear that this quest evolved into the (unimplemented) Andariel quest.

The second line, based on voice, seems to be something spoken by the boss.

The other lines are likely delivered by the quest-giving NPC. It’s unknown who that NPC is, but it’s assumed to be Gillian. Gillian’s not in the beta though but -- since Bmaid31.wav is in the MPQ -- she was definitely planned. The first line is the initiation of the quest, and the third and fourth look like nags. It’s weird that there are two nags (probably based on whether you’ve found the problem), typically there’s only one. This makes me think that the fourth line is the completion of the quest but it’s not quite worded to make it sound that way.

The Imprisoned Warlock

  YOUU...HUMANN! I...WWILLL...REEEWARD...YOUU...VVVERY...WELLLL...IFFF...YOUU...HELLP...MEEE...ESSCAAPE...JUSSST...REEAD...TTHAT...BOOOK...

This quest is also unimplemented in the final release. It is unknown who the enemy is, where the quest takes place, and what the reward is.

Lazarus

  I bring word from the Church.  Through dark means, the Bishop Lazarus was corrupted. His betrayal has allowed Diablo to gain a foothold in our world, and now he works in futherance of Diablo's schemes. We have divined his current location as being sixteen levels under the church. He must be stopped, and his soul put to rest.

  Interloper! You dare to interfere with our destiny! You shall suffer a slow, painful death!

  You are too late! Now you will feel the wrath of hell!

  Why do you delay?! Lazarus' actions doom us all. Hurry!

  It is a weight off of my heart. Rest in peace Bishop Lazarus. I believe you are worthy of one of the Church's holy weapons. The Church appoints you charge of the mace Lightforge. Use it well, and God speed!

  This is terrible, I don't know when we will get another chance. Well it was worth the try. Good luck my son, I feel that you will face more horrors, be strong and you will succeed.

This one’s actually already documented here and the later variant here. Interestingly, though, it looks like Tremain was still plan-of-record at the point (early November 1996).

Izual

  I don't know if I should be telling you this, but I overheard the new priest talking yesterday. He was having a quiet argument with someone I didn't recognize.  The stranger said that you should not be told about something he called Azurewrath, or the Angel named Izual! There was something about a key in a barrel. I'm sorry but that is all I heard, I hope it helps.

  Another mortal seeks his death...

  Maybe it wasn't a key in a barrel, but rather that a barrel was the key.

  Azurewrath is a magical sword! And Izual was a Fallen Angel! I hope you didn't get hurt, and I'm glad I was able to help you! Good luck, I know you'll do your best to save our land from the darkness.

Anvil of Fury

  The weapons you got from that Hellish place are far better than any I can make.  How can there be so many magical weapons in that place!. When I was a boy, my father told me of a magic anvil.  Any weapon made with this anvil would also be magical. He called it the Anvil of Fury. I don't know where it would be, but the magic weapons would need a really hot tempering.

(nice typo)

  The Anvil of Fury would allow me to make magical weapons for you! Magic weapons would need a really hot forge to temper.  I hope you can find it. Good Luck!

  Wow! You found it... oh... that looks really heavy! You can put it down right over there! Perfect! The first weapon I make with it is yours my friend!

This one made it to retail, with slightly different text. Here’s someone beating it for comparison: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8P2dhG84IgA

Ah the prototypical quest. I call this the intro, nag, and end respectively:

intro is delivered when first talking to the NPC given that quest conditions are met.

nag is given the subsequent times that the NPC is talked to, before the quest is done

end is spoken at the completion of the quest, usually accompanied by a reward. The quest might already be gone from the quest log at this point

I’d say Andariel also follows this formula.

If the caves were still in the Beta, I wonder if this quest would have been playable...

Island of the Sunless Sea

  Hey, yyou..friend...thhank you...thanks...the Angel island where Angels watch...watched...you neeed...the...chchoose the rright rrock...and...shield you eyes...shield everything...you......

Not a lot to go on here, but this is probably the unimplemented Island of the Sunless Sea.

Fleshdoom

  I represent the Church on this matter. We believe that through the Cathedral you are entering Hell itself. This provides a unique opportunity...Many years ago, a demonic beast rose from the depths and razed entire villages. We finally vanquished him, only to have him return twice now, to repeat this foul cycle. Perhaps if he is destroyed below, in his own plane, he will forever be defeated... If Fleshdoom possesses a blade composed of the blackest metal, do not use it! Bring the tainted weapon to me, so I can dispose of it. I believe he resides in the deepest levels under the cathedral.

  I wish you luck in hunting Fleshdoom, his evil goes beyond words. Remember, the accursed black sword he wields should not be used by mortal man. Bring it back to me, only my powers can destroy it.

  Good..but we must also destroy the sword, for this evil to end...

  You did it! Lord be praised! Please, let me now destroy that evil weapon of Hell!...Oh, no...what's happening...it isn't working...Quickly! Our only chance now is to cast this weapon into the Forge of Hell, from whence it came! Try further still...into the depths...Oh, my...god...

  YOU HAVE TAKEN YOUR LAST BREATH HUMAN! MY BLADE SHALL FEED ON YOUR FLESH, AND I SHALL TASTE YOUR PAIN AS YOU DIE!

Lachdanan

  Please! Don't kill me...I was once human...I have been looking for a cure to this curse, but it is locked away far beyond my reach...If you help me, I will help you...Look for a Golden Elixor.

  No elixor? I fear that I am doomed for eternity...Please keep trying...

  I owe you my life. Take this helm! It was my prison here in this realm, but now maybe you can use it to avenge this evil!

Map of the Stars

  Damn...Where is that map...Dad said it was between the rock and the tree...before the bridge...It should be right h- OH! Hi...uh...didn’t see ya there...uh...

  What have we here? A map... ...hmmm...This bodes of great ill...You must work quickly now! Diablo readies his armies for impending attack. Take back this map and check it often. When the two stars align, Diablo will complete the final ritual necessary to open a full gate into our world. Our only hope is that you stop him before this confluence. Go now! And Hurry!

  We have very little time...I sense Diablo's power building...

Tasks

  {I can brew better potions if you can find this for me:}

  {I can brew better potions if you can find this for me:}

  {Great! Here's a sample.}

  {I could write a book of magic if I could study these scrolls:}

  {I could write a book of magic if I could study these scrolls:}

  {Thank you, I will teach you what I learn.}

  {Great power can be found in iron figurines below the church. I can work wonders with these:}

  {Great power can be found in iron figurines below the church. I can work wonders with these:}

  {This is amazing! Now I need a specific staff to invoke its power:}

  {I need a staff to invoke the power of the figurines.}

  {That's just what we need! I hope you like the results.}

  {The king's army is in need of supplies, these items will fetch a special price.}

  {The king's army is in need of supplies, these items will fetch a special price.}

  {Excellent! Here is your reward.}

  {I've got an idea I want to test. Find me this weapon and I think I can make it better:}

  {Find me this weapon and I think I can make it better:}

  {Let me just...It works! Take this back and give it a try!.}

  {I'm working on a method for toughening armor. I can try it if you bring me this:}

  {I'm working on a method for toughening armor. I can try it if you bring me this:}

  {Good find! See if this works any better for you.}

  {If you come across enchanted equipment, I can try to use its methods on my own creations. Here is what I seek:}

  {Here is what I seek:}

  {Thank you! This will take some study...}

  {Keep your eyes open for an iron figurine. I have special knowledge about these:}

  {Keep your eyes open for these:}

  {This is amazing! Now I need one of these, and I will make it gleam with power!}

  {Now I need one of these, and I will make it gleam with power!}

  {That looks just fine! I believe you will like this alot.}

  {A traveller passed through recently wielding a unique weapon. He believed that killing a certain monster with it would invoke its true power. As he has not returned, I fear he is dead.}

  {Have you seen the traveller with the enchanted weapon? I fear he is dead.}

  {That is the traveller's weapon. He was hunting this monster:}

  {One of my regular patrons seeks vengeance for her slain brother. She will reward you if you bring me evidence that you have killed this monster:}

  {For proof of vengeance fullfilled I need this:}

  {Ahh! I hope this put's her mind at ease...Here is your reward.}

  {A nearby home was ransacked by a group of foul beasts. They killed the owner and took a chest full of valuable belongings. You will need the key first, so look for these creatures:}

  {These creatures hold the key to a valuable chest:}

  {I see you have the key, now find the chest that it opens.}

  {You'd be my hero, if you slayed this monster for me!}

  {Won't you prove your worth by besting this demon?}

  {My! Aren't you brave!}

  {It is said that, on this day, if you leave a token in the cemetary, tomorrow it will be altered. Try one of these:}

  {It is said that, on this day, if you leave a token in the cemetary, tomorrow it will be altered. Try one of these:}

  {I had a dream that you punched a demon and it exploded into fabulous treasure. I think the beast had this name:}

  {I had a dream that you punched a demon and it exploded into fabulous treasure. I think the beast had this name:}

  {Hey! Its my best customer! My partner had an accident and I need some help refilling my inventory. I'll trade you my best item if you can bring me these:}

  {I'll trade you my best item if you can bring me these:}

  {Thanks! This should tide me over 'till I find a new partner. Here's your half of the bargain:}

  {I've got something special today. I'm not exactly sure what it is, but I can tell that it's great...So, I'm gonna offer you a bargain: 1000 gold takes it. No questions, no returns.}

  {I've acquired a certain rare tome. This book requires a crystal eyepiece to read, however, and I don't have it. The book is useless to me. I will give it to you if you give me these things:}

  {Give me these things and I will give you a rare tome:}

  {You got it all! Here's the Tome. I hope you find the crystal eyepiece, without it you will never be able to read it.}

  {I must speak with you! While calling on a villager, I came upon a Demon! I left the door open for you. Please investigate!}

  {These creatures must be banished! I left the door open for you.}

  {The village is once again in your debt.}

  {I am in need of a certain reagents to help heal the plagues that the demons bring. If you gather these things, I shall reward you well:}

  {I am in need of a certain reagents to help heal the plagues that the demons bring. If you gather these things, I shall reward you well:}

  {You bring light to this dark and troubled time...I wish you to have this...}

  {I ask that you find a pool of clear water. Fill these containers and return. Then I will concoct a useful elixor.}

  {I ask that you find a pool of clear water. Fill these containers and return. Then I will concoct a useful elixor.}

  {Very good! Just give me a minute to mix the ingrediants... ...Ah! Here you go!.}

Farnham

  {I wanna tell ya...and I know this stuff...this's's what ya might call my espesiality, so lissen' up...this here is the best...thee best...you lissen' ta me...}   ...no one ever lis-HICK...lissen's to me...sumwhere...I ain't too sure...sumwhere...just unner the church...is a whole pile o' gold...gleemin' an' a shinin'.. jus waitin' fer sumone to get at it...this kinna monster hazza key...}

  {I know ya gots yer own eyedeas...an' I know yer not gonna baleev zis...but that weppon' yer holdin'...they jus' aint no good aginst yer tuffer beasties...}

  {If I was you...an' I aint, but if I was...I'd'a sell all a that stuff, et least mosta' it...That boy out there...that poor kid wif' no leg...no foot...he got sumpin' good...But he ain' even gonna offer it to ya, 'less you got sum gold...an' lots of it!

The Skeleton King

  I would like to ask your help. Years ago a corrupt king destroyed the land with necromancy.  He used his dark powers to kill all before him, then he would raise the dead to join his army of evil.  One of the king's own knights finally struck him down; now he rests in the catacombs of the cathedral.With evil upon our land once more, I fear that the Skeleton King is again at work; building an undead army.  If you slay the evil king, he can not raise his army of skeleton warriors to destroy our land.You will find the king's tomb 3 levels below.

  The Skeleton Kings undead minions still plague this land! You must kill the Dark King or the walking dead will destroy every thing! His tomb is 3 levels below.

  You have saved this land from a terrible evil.  With the King again resting in peace, the undead hordes will not return. Thank you.

The Butcher

  Please help....! I barely escaped from ....... the Butcher...! He killed .... my wife ... my children! I beg of you ...... in the name of God ......... avenge them.........

<..........> The man's body appears to be twisted in agony!

<..........> The man appears to be in peace.

The Magic Rock

I have a story that I think you might be interested in. A few weeks ago a star fell from the sky.  A caravan carried a piece of the sky rock to the royal capital for the King's wizards to study.  On the road north of here, they were ambushed by evil forces eminating from the cathedral.  I looked among the refuse and carnage for the sky rock, but it was no where to be found.  If you can find it, I will try to make something out of it. If it is magical, it might be of some use to you!

  I'm still waiting for you to bring me that piece of star that fell. If it is magical, I could make something that you could use to fight the evil in our homeland.

  Hey! It looks like that could be it! Give me some time.....Ah! Here you go....I made a ring out of a small piece.  I hope its of some use to you. Good Luck!

The Bone Chamber

....and so the knowledge was too great. With reluctance, the power of the awesome and destructive spell was sealed forever beyond the Chamber of Bone. A magical stairway marks the way to the Chamber. Many have tried to recover the power sealed within, but all have fallen prey to the Guardians. You have been warned.

  Here is the nova spell huhh..hhuhhhh. words....

The Maze

Beyond the Hall of Heros awaits the catacombs. Be warned: He who would steal from the dead. Traps and more await below to deal with would be thieves.

Ogden

Thank goodness you've returned! Much has changed since you lived here, my friend. All was peaceful until the dark riders came and destroyed our village. Many were cut down where they stood. Those who took up arms were slain or dragged away to become slaves - or worse. The church at the edge of town has been desecrated and is being used for dark rituals. The screams that echo in the night are inhuman, but some of our townsfolk may yet survive. Follow the path that lies between my tavern and the blacksmith shop to find the church and save who you can. Perhaps I can tell you more if we speak again. Good luck.

There is an old woman who lives across the river to the east. It is said that she knows much about magic. She may be able to help you in your quest.

Continue on your quest, my friend. Only the destruction of the evil that binds us can bring us peace.

Poison Water

  Everyone is sick! The demons have tunneled into our well sources and fouled our water. Find the tunnel and stop them or we will all die!

  Please, you must hurry! The demons have tunneled into our ground water and are poisoning it.

  Thank you so much! If you had not stopped them, we would all have perished! Let me express my gratitude with this magic ring.

Butcher Portal

  Here over, pssst! Chamber Butcher the from spell portal town the cast!  Saying I am what?

Garbud

  No hurt! Not Kill! Keep alive, next time good bring to you!

  Something for you! Again, too! Garbud live! No hurt!

  Nothing! Could not get! Stop! Live! Live! No pain!

  Garbud big! You weak! You scared! Now you die!

Halls of the Blind

  I can see what you see not. Vision milky then eyes rot. When you turn they will be gone, Whispering their hidden song. Then you see what connot be Shadows move where light should be. Out of darkness out of mind, Cast down into the Halls of the Blind.

Stones of Blood

 ...and so, locked beyond the Gateway of Blood and past the Hall of Fire. Valor awaits for the Hero of Light to awaken...THIS QUEST IS NOT WORKING YET...

Zhar the Mad

  What?!...Why are you here?...All these interuptions...Here, take this and begon! Trouble me no more! NEXT TIME...

  Arrgghh! If you insist on disturbing my work, then I must put an end to your curiosity!

Infested Cellar

  I was calling on one of the townsmen who is very ill, when I made a bone-chilling discovery. Odd sounds...and a sick sweet smell rising from the cellar. I looked below and saw monstrous demonic worms shift and squirm. They must have tunneled up from the underlying catacombs...I emplore you! You must slay these worms! I left the man's door open for you. Its that house right in front of me...

  I fear that the worms could soon overrun the village...I think I heard them under my house. Please, seek them out through that house opposite mine...

  Once again you have saved us from the encroaching evil. We are forever in your debt.

Black Mushroom

  What do we have here?...Interesting...It looks like...Keep your eyes open for a black mushroom, it should be fairly large.

  A mushroom? Oh, yes...This will be perfect in my stew...By the way, I heard the Healer is looking for the brain of a demon...

  Why, thank you...Oh, could you bring this elixor to the witch, as long as you're going that way?

  What?! Oh, I don't need that anymore...Keep it.

Ogden’s Sign

  I don't understand why the demons stole the sign to my inn, but didn't burn it down or kill me and my family. It's so strange... don't you think?

  Hey! You that manling kill all! You get me Magic Banner or die! You no leave with life! You kill big uglies give back Magic! Past corner and door are uglys! You give you go!

  You kill uglies give banner!

  You give! Yes good! Go! Go good! We strong good! We kill all! Now magic strong!

  Oh! You didn't have to bring back my sign! But I am very glad you did. Here, take this cap, it should be of some value to you.

Some details have changed, but this is pretty close to retail: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMf1-2CwoA0