Legend of Dragoon Rework

[Venom Dream]

What is this:
Legend of Dragoon is a game with a very poorly translated script which, regardless, shows hints of being very interesting. Without any knowledge of the original Japanese version, this is my attempt to interpret it. The first post is a bit dry, since the game actually takes the opening scene seriously, once they reach Hellena Prison the floodgates open wide. Not sure how far in I'll actually get.

Ch. 1 - 01 - Prologue & Beginning Scenes

[The game opens with an FMV, showing fireballs in a sleepy, mist-filled town.
Enemies on their steeds lay waste to the buildings. Eventually, the commander
arrives at the site.]

Soldier: "Commander, this way."

[He's taken to a girl.]

Commander: "This is the girl, is it?"

[He takes out a dull ball and holds it above her forehead. It glows and the
light shines into her, then fades.]

Commander: "I see. 'Put her in custody'... Is this really necessary?"

Man in Hood: "It is his majesty, Emperor Doel himself, who made the command to take the
girl into custody."
Commander: "Just who is she?"
Man in Hood: "That's not something you need to worry about."

[Elsewhere, a woman stands on a cliff and watches a forest. A gigantic
green creature pokes its head out.]

Woman: "The Green Tusked Dragon, Feyrbrand."

[She starts to jump down into the forest. Meanwhile, in the woods, a man
in red armor sits on a log, taking a rest during his journey.]
[The sound of enemies riding by attracts Dart's attention.]

Dart: "...?"

[He goes to see at the road, and two stragglers come upon him.]

Soldier: "Who's there!"

Soldier 2: "Are you a mercenary of Basil?"

Soldier: "Answer!"
[Dart knocks the polearm back with his sword.]

Soldier: "Do you have any idea what you're doing, drawing your sword against us?"
[A roar in the forest ensues.]

Soldier 2: "Wh, What the?!"

[Feyrbrand appears on the road, sending the soldiers retreating.]

Dart: "What the hell is that?! If I don't do something quick, I'll be killed for sure."
[Dart retreats, too.]

Dart: "What a monster! Uh! Here it comes again!"

[A woman drops down and takes Dart behind a rock.]

Dart: "Who- ?"
Woman: "(Shhh. If you don't want to die.)"
Dart: "Thanks for saving me, but do I know you? I'm not sure what just happened here."
Woman: "You came face to face with a Dragon."
Dart: "No way, a Dragon?"
Woman: "But it's strange. A village like that could've easily been destroyed without
a Dragon."

Dart: "A village...? Are you talking about Seles? Then those soldiers
were!"

Woman: "There won't be anything left, by now."

Dart: "Seles is my village!"

[Dart leaves and a strange black-ish glow resonates on the woman.]

Woman: (Oh my god... That man must be... No, it couldn't be?)

Ch. 1 - 02 - Seles

[Dart tops a hill and sees Seles burning.]

Dart: "My god! Where did everybody go?"

[Dart jumps the town fence. He sees some soldiers by a villager.]

Dart: "?!"

Villager: "Look at what you've done. Isn't that enough for you?"

Soldier of Imperial Sandora: "Hee hee hee! If I kill you too, I might be satisfied."

[Another soldier kicks him.]

Villager: "Ah! ...."

Dart: "Stop!"

Soldier of Imperial Sandora 2: "Oh, a mercenary? If you want to help these poor ********, you missed your cue."
Dart: "Shut your mouth unless you're going to tell me what you're doing here."

Soldier of Imperial Sandora 2: "Can't you see? We're takin' over here,
and these worms were in our way. Call it an 'occupation'."

Dart: "Occupation? You were sent by the Imperial Army, weren't you!"

Soldier of Imperial Sandora 2: "Even if we were, it's none of your business.
Seeing as you're about to die!!"
[Dart defeats the two soldiers, and they flee.]

Soldiers of Imperial Sandora: "****, let's get out of here!"

Villager: "Dart... it's really you?"

Dart: "Yes! It's me! Why is Seles under attack?"

Villager: "Imperial Sandora...attacked us... it's... war"

Dart: "Isn't there supposed to be a truce?!"

Villager: "There was... suddenly... I didn't imagine...they would come to...our little village."

Dart: "If I had come back sooner!"

Villager: "There's something... it's Shana... you have to... rescue Shana, only...
you can..."

[The villager dies.]
Dart: "Wait! What happened to Shana? Hey!! Wait!!"

[Dart walks further into town and sees a man face-down.]

Dart: "Hang on! Ahh"

[The face-down man gets up.]

Plos: "That voice. Dart?"

Dart: "This way."

[He helps him sit down by a wall.]
Dart: "It's only a light wound."

Plos: "I guess I was lucky. But look at the village. If only you had been here earlier..."

Dart: "..."

Plos: "It's about Shana, too."

Dart: "Shana? Is she okay?"

Plos: "She was taken away. They didn't come for the village, they came for Shana."

Dart: "Do you... know where they went?"

Plos: "I don't know."
[A Sandora commander runs over.]

Dart: "I'm gonna make this guy talk!"

Commander: "Those were privates you bested before. That's no reason to be confident."

Dart: "Tell me where you took Shana."

Commander: "Shana... Don't worry about her, she's being taken care of. By now she's receiving the courtesies of Hellena Prison."

Dart: "Hellena Prison!?"

Commander: "Surprised, are you? She is our special guest. I'm afraid you're not invited."

Dart: "You've got to be kidding!? You attacked our village just for a girl like her?"
Commander: "Exactly, but don't worry. I will let you follow them, but not
to Hellena. You'll meet again in Hell!"

[Dart defeats the Commander in battle.]
Plos: "Dart, you're planning to go rescue Shana, aren't you? I won't stop you, but be careful. You've been gone a long time, but your journey isn't over yet, is it?"

Dart: "... No."

Plos: "You can count on us to deal with what's happened here in Seles. Not everyone's wounded, there are enough here to help."

Dart: "Thank you. When everything's settled, I'll be back. And I'll bring Shana with me."
[As Dart leaves the village, a scene in Hellena Prison plays. Shana is thrown
into a jail cell by a guard.]

Hellena Warden: "Be good in there!"

[Elsewhere, on a wooden walkway, an enormously fat man confronts the hooded
man from the beginning video.]

Fruegel: "You can tell me, you know. Who the heck is the girl?"

Man in Hood: "The world's future rests on her."

Fruegel: "... That all you're going to tell me?"

Man in Hood: "This is enough information for you. Those of you who can't grasp the value of what we're doing should stick to following orders."

Fruegel: "I don't take orders from you. Only His Majesty, Doel, gives orders to me!"

Man in Hood: "If you say so. Just remember this."

[He whips out a sword and Fruegel falls back.]

Man in Hood: "If you make a scratch on her, it'll cost more than your life.
Consider this a message from Emperor Doel."

Fruegel: "Argh! Fu-... Fine then."
[Out of frustration, Fruegel throws a guard off the side of the walkway. The guard screams as he's falling, and the scream lingers for some time.]

Ch. 1 - 03 - Forest

[Dart enters the forest and a dog barks at him.]

"I have no time to deal with you right now! (But it reminds me...)"

[He has a flashback of himself and Shana when they were little.]

Shana: "This way! This way!!

[A dog barks at them.]

Dart: "Cut it out! Leave Shana alone!!"

[The flashback ends.]

Dart: "'Leave Shana alone!'

Hang in there, Shana, I swear you'll be out of there soon."

 

[Venom Dream]

Ch. 1 - 04 - Hellena Prison

[The prison is located on a small island offshore, connected to the mainland
by a wooden bridge. It constantly emits smoke. Dart runs to the path and looks
out at the structure.]

Dart: "Well, there must be a way in?"

[The young man takes cover as a cart rolls by just then; he follows it to the
prison checkpoint, where a guard inspects the cargo.]

Gatekeeper of Hellena: "...I see. Good quality. Sir Freugel will be
happy to see you've brought meat and fish."

Merchant: "You've bought a lot recently. You must be busy around here?"

Gatekeeper of Hellena: "A merchant like you shouldn't ask too many questions."

Merchant: "Okay, okay! Got it."

Gatekeeper of Hellena: "I'll inspect the load."

[The gatekeeper does.]
Gatekeeper of Hellena: "The load checks out. Lower the bridge!"

Dart: (Now!)

[He jumps in the back and bums a ride inside.]

Dart: (I made it.)

[The merchant sees him.]

Merchant: "Where the hell did you come from?"

Dart: (I'm discovered!)

Voice: "This way!!"

[Dart kills the guard that comes to fight him.]
Merchant: "He- Help me! I can't deal with this, I just drive the cart."

Dart: "Be quiet. I'm not here to kill you."

Merchant: "... I won't make a sound."

[Dart heads to the cell block area.]

Hellena Warden: "Move quicker!"
[Down the way, the warden is yelling at some prisoners.]
Hellena Warden: "Move quicker!"

Prisoner: "Argh!"

Hellena Warden: "I pity you for your luck. It would have be easier for you, you could have died on the battlefield."

Knight of Basil: "What... do you mean?"

Hellena Warden: "Don't be naive. Hellena isn't going to be comfortable for you. The head warden, Fruegel, is a nasty ************! He might just feed you to the monster."
[The warden blocks the way as one of the knights tries to escape.]
Hellena Warden: "Oops!
You must have done that by accident."

Knight of Basil: "Feed us to the monster!? I won't let you humiliate us
anymore!"

Hellena Warden: "Oh, feisty feisty. It's the worst kind of POW, but the best
kind of feed."

Knight of Basil: "If you want to kill me, kill me now!"

Voice: "I won't let him!"
[A man with a spear kills a warden and appears in the room.]

Knight of Basil: "Sir Lavitz!"

Hellena Warden: "You, you *******! You were safely in your cell a minute ago. How stupid can you be. You think you can escape from here alone!?"

Lavitz: "I'll take care of this!! Go back to Indels Castle. Make it there alive!
Tell King Albert what's happening!"

[The knights run off...]
Voice: "I won't let you!"
[..and the knights get thrown off the balcony and fall to their deaths. The knights scream as they're falling, and the screams linger for some time.]
Guard: "That took care of them!"

[Dart runs over.]

Dart: "What is this, civil war!?"

Guard: "You! Who are you? Are you one of Basil's dogs too?"

Lavitz: "Who are you?"

Dart: "I'm Dart! ...

I'm not your enemy!"

Lavitz: "I am head of the First Knighthood of the Kingdom of Basil Lavitz Slambert! Well, it seems we don't have time for introductions!"

Dart: "We don't!"
[The two fend off the guards. Lavitz looks down to where the knights fell.]

Lavitz: "Now is a better time for introductions. Dart, huh? I have a hard time believing you ended up at Hellena intentionally. What have you been up to?"

Dart: "I'm here because of someone important to me! Do you know anything about
her?! Her name is Shana!"

Lavitz: "I'm sorry, but...."

Dart: "I'll have to look somewhere else."

Lavitz: "Wait! I'll accompany you."
Dart: "Oh, here I thought the only thing that mattered to you was getting back to the castle as soon as possible."
Lavitz: "She's important, this girl you are looking for?"
Dart: "It's my problem. It was my fault."
Lavitz: "I don't know what brought you to Hellena, but it's not easy, this isn't somewhere you should be alone."

Dart: "..."

Lavitz: "Hey, it's no different for me. But, together, we can bust out! Of course, we'll bring the girl too."
Dart: "How come you trust me? We've just met."
Lavitz: "The way you penetrated the defenses was quite impressive. You got my back when I needed it. That's the way I think."
Dart: "All right. We're in this together now."

[The two find their way to the second tower, and come to a room crawling with
security guards.]

Lavitz: "The security on this room is extra tight."
Dart: "!? What about this key?"
Lavitz: "We might need it later. We should take it with us. We'll need it if this 'Shana' of yours is the one they're guarding. But why is she the only one?"
Dart: "I was about to ask the head warden directly. But Shana comes first."

[In the second tower, the party finds guards standing outside a cell.]
Guard: "Basil dogs!!"
Dart: "Lavitz! Keep'em quiet! Any noise could give us away."
Lavitz: "Now you're talkin'!"
[The guards are dispatched.]

Voice: "Who is it~"

Dart: "That voice! Is that Shana? It's me!"

Voice: "Dart? Is it really you?"

Dart: "Yes, it's me! I'm here to rescue you!"

Lavitz: "Hurry! The guard is coming!"

[Dart enters the cell.]
Dart: "Shana."
Shana: "Dart..."

[long pause]

Dart: "I'm here to rescue you!"
Shana: "..."

[long pause]

Dart: "You haven't forgotten about me, even though we haven't seen each other
in five years?"

Shana: "How could I forget? Show me your face."

Dart: "I haven't changed much."

Shana: "Oh, but you have. You look much stronger, much stronger than the Dart I
knew."

[long pause]
Lavitz: "Enough with the catchup!! They're coming!!"
[They exit the cell.]

Guard: "The girl! She must have got a key somehow!
She's getting away!"

Guard 2: "I won't let her!"
[They give the guards a beatdown.]

Dart: "Are you okay?"
Shana: "I'm good."

Lavitz: "Yeah, yeah. You two can celebrate later. We're deep in the darkness of the belly of the beast, and isn't it a bit damp to have a party?"

Dart: "Let's go, Shana. Follow me, okay?"

Shana: "Dart, you know I'm 18 now, don't you?

I can fight too!"

[She steals a bow lying against the wall.]

Dart: "Shana...."

Lavitz: "She grew up. Being alone in a hellish place like this. She's not a regular woman, believe me. She wouldn't have been able to survive... Of course, who would come here to save her?"

Dart: "But, the Shana I remember hasn't changed a bit."

Lavitz: "... Let's talk about that after we get out of here."

[Elsewhere, guards are reporting to Fruegel about the prisoners' escape.]

Fruegel: "Say that again!?"
Hellena Warden: "Well, uh, well, the Knight from Basil broke out of the jail. I am sorry, Fruegel!"

Fruegel: "I am not talking about that rat! Repeat what you said after!"
Hellena Warden: "The girl from Seles... was taken by the red one."

Fruegel: "What!? What did you say? Speak a little louder!"
Hellena Warden: "I already said everything! The girl was taken by the man in red armor!"

[Fruegel throws the warden over the railing. The warden screams as he's falling, and the scream lingers for some time.]

Fruegel: "You *******! Don't let them out alive! ... Wait!! I almost forgot the
most important thing, don't kill the girl. It's an order from His
Majesty Doel!"
Hellena Warden: "Aye, aye sir!!"
Fruegel: "And so you know. If you manage to screw this up, not a single one of you will keep your heads."

[The warden leaves.]

Fruegel: "'The red one!?' I'll get you!! While I'm at it, I might as well dye everything else
red... with your blood!!"

[As the party turns to leave Hellena, the warden is there waiting for them.]

Fruegel: "So, you are 'the red one' acting like a prince!"
Dart: "So what are you going to do about it!?"
Fruegel: "I've only got one answer for you. You and the leader of the Knights will make wonderful feed for the pet... after... I mince you up!!"

Dart: "Lavitz... is this the head warden?"
Lavitz: "His name is Fruegel. Even the people of his own country wonder about him."

[pause]

Fruegel: "You have such a calm face, or are you paralyzed from fear!?"

[pause]

Dart: "You attacked Seles didn't you?!"

Fruegel: "Of course I didn't. I'm a prison warden. I just handed down the order."

Dart: "Why did you have Shana taken away?!"

Fruegel: "I didn't. Emperor Doel said to bring that girl back. The order was so trivial that I thought I could spice things up a bit!! I added the new order of annihilating Seles myself!!"

Dart: "Fruegel! Unforgivable!!"
[The party defeats Fruegel.]

Fruegel: "AGHHH!"

Dart: "What is this? Is he immortal!? Let's get out of here, Shana!"
Lavitz: "Get on the horse. What are you waiting around for?"

Fruegel: "*******! Keep them from going, even if it costs you your life, or it'll cost you your life!"

[The two make a breakaway and start to leave the prison.]

Voice: "Raise the bridge!! Jail break!!"
Shana: "Lavitz!"
[Lavitz manages to get past the bridge before it raises all the way.]

Lavitz: "Giddy up!!"

[They escape. Meanwhile, inside:]
Fruegel: "Bring her back here!! Or you will be dead!!"

[Fruegel sees the man in the black hood.]

Fruegel: "You!! How long have you been there?"

Man in Hood: "Do you feel we should report this incident to His Majesty Doel?"

Fruegel: "Woah there! Just hold on a second. Don't do that, I'll bring back the girl!"

Man in Hood: "If you hadn't said so, you would be dead by now."

[Fruegel turns to a warden nearby.]

Fruegel: "You're coming too, *******!!"

[Fruegel walks off.]

Man in Hood: "This doesn't change much of anything. We will continue as planned."

 

[Venom Dream]

Editor's Notes: I at one point had the sadistic imperial soldier in the second segment, who is apparently a private, say "Even if we were, it's none of your beeswax" instead of "business" in a nod to bad 90s English anime dubs, but decided to change it since this character is intended to be intimidating.

The exchange between Shana and Dart when they are reunited is entirely unchanged from the actual game script, aside from the addition of "[long pause]"

The biggest liberty I took is likely changing "Woah!!" to "Giddy up!!" but I thought it suited the getaway chase pretty well, and I couldn't think of anything else that cowboys say to horses.

Based on the original English game script it seems like Freugel is calling Hellena Warden "B******" as a proper noun, as a replacement for his name. However it's ambiguous so I decided not to capitalize the B.

 

[Venom Dream]

| Ch. 1 - 05 - Forest

[The party retreats back to the forest separating them from Seles. ]
Dart: "It's coming from the Forest."
Shana: "What is...?"
[Dart points out smoke from a camp fire above the treeline]

Lavitz: "It seems this is where the Imperial army is camped. It would be risky for
us to try to pass here."

Dart: "Yeah. Let's take another route."

| Ch. 1 - 06 - Prairie

[The party enters the prairie after fleeing from the Forest. Lavitz lags.]

Dart: "Lavitz, you can keep going?"

Lavitz: "Yeah! I'm fine."

[An arrow comes over the hill and hits Lavitz in the leg.]

Lavitz: "Ahg!!"

Dart: "!!"
Shana: "!!"

Dart: "Hide yourselves!!"

[Dart helps Lavitz hide behind a rock.]
Dart: "Does it hurt?"
Lavitz: "It's only skin deep."
Shana: "But it needs to be properly dressed!"
Lavitz: "Thanks, but it can be treated later. We have to run first, there's no cover here."
Dart: "I'll carry Lavitz. Shana, go first."
Shana: "Don't treat me like a child. I'm coming with you. There's no reason I can't be 'one of the guys'."
Lavitz: "Both of you... I can walk by myself."
[pause]
Shana: "Here they come!"
Dart: "Let's go!!"
[The three run off as the enemies top the hill. In the next screen, they find
a large tree.]

Dart: "!!"
[They all hide behind it as the wardens come. A noise catches their attention.]

Hellena Warden A: "!!"
Hellena Warden B: "!!"

Hellena Warden A: "There they are!"
Hellena Warden B: "Women first! If you cooperate, we might spare those people in Basil!"
[A little mouse runs out onto the path.]

Hellena Warden B: "Is this the fugitive?"

Hellena Warden A: "Don't be an idiot! Go look over there, do something useful."
[The wardens run down the road.]

Dart: "That was close."

[In the adjacent screen, they find a stable. Lavitz kneels down.]

Lavitz: "Tut, such a trifle wound."

Shana: "Does it still hurt?"

Lavitz: "About as much as a mosquito bite."
Shana: "I learned first aid! I... thought it would be useful. Particularly in
times like these."
Dart: "Shana? Learning? It's been awhile since you showed me something new!"
Shana: "You never know who might show up injured at any moment."
Dart: "There's a shack over there we could use."
Lavitz: "All right."

[They head into the shack, and Shana patches the Basil knight up.]

Shana: "That should do the trick."
Lavitz: "Thanks. It was fine, but it's much better now."
Dart: "It seems like we lost our tail from Hellena. It wasn't too hard to keep those dimwits guessing."
Shana: "Dart? Tell me, about these past five years.... you know what, it's okay, nevermind! We don't have time for this now."
Dart: "It was a journey to find the monster who deprived me of something precious. I want more than anything to take revenge. I couldn't tell you. Shana. That's why I left by myself."

Shana: "The Black Monster? I know the name, but that's about it. Nobody would tell me more
about it. They said I was still too young, as usual."

Lavitz: "The Black Monster? What are you talking about?"

Dart: "I have two homes. One is Seles, where I spend time with Shana. And the
other is where I lived with my family, my first home in Neet, which was
taken from me by the monster. That was eighteen years ago."
[A flashback happens at Neet. It's in flames.]

Narrative: Dart's hometown -- 18 years ago.

Dart: "It happened when I was five years old. Neet was attacked by the Black
Monster. We were the lucky ones. Only three of us escaped."
[Dart escapes from the burning town with his mother and father, who stop at
the edge of town and look at the flames. The father prepares to go back in to
help the others.]

Dart: "But my father returned to the village."

[His mother hugs him and goes as well.]

Dart: "And my mother followed my father to the village to help everybody.
That's where the Black Monster was waiting. I was left alone, shivering. I waited for dawn. The sun revealed a foreign landscape. It was a
completely transformed Neet. And I found this."



HOLD ON HOLD ON HOLD ON
Wait a second
Wait one ******* second.
I own a copy of this game, and the script I'm using for reference is one posted on Gamefaqs, to which the poster already made his own revisions! That takes all the fun out of it... There's not much left that needs to be edited...
I'm not the first person to think of this, am I?

I've got to rethink this entire project

 

[Snake6523]

Hey, this is VD, this is my topic, I'm still doin' my thing. As great as it would have been to end on a punchline - and what I said isn't untrue, there are a handful of lines in the version of the script I'm rewriting that aren't actually in the game - the real reason I took a break is that this next post is a massive wall of exposition with practically no comic relief. But hell, I'm not going to work on only the funny parts.

----

"It was a
completely transformed Neet. And I found this."
[In the present, Dart is holding a shining stone.]

Dart: "What I found on the ground was this. It's a memento, the only thing
my father would never let go of. He always carried it with him, all the time."

Shana: "Dart, it's okay. I understand."

Dart: "Shana, I'm... sorry I didn't tell you."

Shana: "It's okay, it really is, I knew you would tell me someday. You don't need any more reason than that, so don't say anymore."

Lavitz: "So, you returned from a journey to bring closure to the past, and you came home to this instead."

Dart: "I never found 'closure', but I'm not finished yet."

Lavitz: "You mentioned Neet. I'm not familiar with a village in this country by the name Neet."
Dart: "It was way farther north from here. I guess nobody even remembers its name anymore.
Hey, Lavitz, tell me. What's really going on in this country?"

Lavitz: "Currently, our Kingdom of Basil is at war with the Imperial Sandora. The war's spread rapidly over Serdio, so rapidly some villages haven't received word yet that there's a war at all."

Dart: "Why was the truce broken to begin with?"

Lavitz: "It's the Dragon. No matter how many men you recruit, no number of men can accomplish what a single Dragon can in a battle. The Dragon added weight to Sandora. There's a new balance of power and it doesn't look good for us."

Dart: "Dragon? No, no way! If you have something like that, it doesn't seem like a fair fight."

Lavitz: "What do you know about Dragons?"

Dart: "A Dragon swooped down on me in the forest outside Seles. It was overwhelming. That was only days ago.

A passing warrior saved me, otherwise I don't think we would've been introduced."

Lavitz: "The Dragon is advancing faster than I would have expected. We've got to find a way to do something about it soon, or it'll be too late."

Dart: "'It'll be too late'? You mean, more casualties?"

Lavitz: "Yeah. It's 'a war', anyways. That's what you can expect.
My destination is Indels Castle in Bale. There are so many things
I have to report to King Albert.
You know what, Dart? You guys should come along with me. Minister Noish
might know something about the Black Monster."

Dart: "They're royalty, aren't they? They have a long history, right? I might be able to learn something new."
Lavitz: "It's a done deal."

Shana: "Lavitz, you have to be careful! Your leg hasn't healed yet."
Lavitz: "You'll make a great wife one day."
Shana: "Thanks!"
Lavitz: "I don't need the attention, but you'll be great for someone who does."


Dart: "Let's go."


[There's a puzzle with some dialog about chopping down a tree here, which I cut. Just imagine you're playing Villager in Smash Bros for Wii U, it's pretty much like that]

 

[Snake6523]

Editor's note: So, the part where they're in the forest, and there's smoke coming from the trees. This part is originally very confusing, because the dialog is the same as here, but the action doesn't match the dialog. The reason they don't go forward in the game is because there are soldiers standing in the road. But the characters still say "What is...?" "It's coming from the forest, I think".

Emperor Doel's name is one letter away from being Emperor Dole, or King Banana. I'm sure they didn't do this on purpose.

 

[Venom Dream]

There's a lot of filler in here due to the nature of video game design, but on the plus side I can be as egregious as I like about altering parts which aren't plot important. I've been fairly faithful to the original so far, but I might have some fun with it later on. If you have Netflix, there's a Samurai Champloo episode which explains the conversation about fireflies in this section pretty succinctly.

One other thing, for fans of the game, Lavitz has a storyline coming up that`s somewhat similar to the Masamune quest in Chrono Trigger. That's coming up a bit later though.

Ch. 1 - 07 - Limestone Cave
[Inside the cave, the party finds a room with a bunch of stepping stones.]

Dart: "Stepping stones. Shana, it's wet, be careful not to slip."

Shana: "... Okay."

[Dart and Shana go ahead, and Lavitz pulls up the rear. Once the first two
are across, Lavitz slips and hangs onto a stone, ready to plunge into the
freezing water.]

Lavitz: "Awha!!"

Dart: "Lavitz!!"

[Dart goes to pull him up.]

Shana: "Dart! Lavitz!"

Lavitz: "Whoa!"

[They all make it across.]

Dart: [heavy breathing]

Lavitz: "That's twice you've saved my life."

Dart: [continued heavy breathing] "I was- just- around- that's all."

Lavitz: "That might be the case, but I'm thinking we could have a long friendship, it's good to have someone like you around."
Dart: "Yup. I don't see why not."
[Dart and Lavitz walk off.]
Shana: "Excuse me, you guys! That's no way to leave me, on slippery stones while you go off together!"
[Off the side of the path, the party can find glowing balls of light.]

Dart: "These are Rock Fireflies."

Shana: "Oh, you must know a lot about them."

Dart: "Well, they used to save my butt every now and then."

Lavitz: "From experience, the ones close to battlefields were particularly convenient."

Shana: "Excuse me! Don't just chat amongst yourselves if you're not going to tell me what they are."
[The fireflies glow brighter.]
Shana: "Oh!! Isn't it pretty?"
[The fireflies glow brighter still.]

Lavitz: "The light from a Rock Firefly has a healing power."
Dart: "Well, looks like Shana's learning something new after all."

Shana: "Well, well. I know something about Rock Fireflies you don't know, Dart."

Dart: "Huh? What's that?"

Shana: "I'm not sharing."

Lavitz: "Well, you have been apart from each other for five years. It's natural not to share everything. But, you know, I have someone in my life I can share everything with, I've never had a closer relationship than I have with my mother. Every time I go back to Bale, she welcomes me with that same smile, even if it's been five years.
Wh,
What? Did I say something wrong?"
Dart: "We should get going. Your mother's been waiting for you a long time, right?"
Lavitz: "Uh, Yeah! What are we doing wasting time, anyways."
[The party gets in sight of the cave exit.]

Dart: "Something's there."
Lavitz: "This cave has a reputation. This could be the 'guardian of the cave' I've heard so much about."
Dart: "Shana, step back!"
Shana: "Don't worry about me. I can help."
Lavitz: "It's! Coming!!"
[They defeat the snake-boss, Urobolus.]
Dart: "We did it!"

Lavitz: "Now, let's get a move on."

[Lavitz and Dart start to walk ahead. Meanwhile, the dying Urobolus rears up
and lunges at Shana.]
[Dart and Lavitz can't reach her in time, but a brilliant light shines from
Shana and causes the snake to explode.]
Shana: "Wh, what just..."

Dart: "I've never seen it happen like that before."

Shana: "That's never happened before... I haven't either."

Dart: "..."

Lavitz: "Anyway, we're safe. Taking care of the guardian may diminish the reputation of this cave somewhat, but we're still not out of here yet. There's nothing we can do until we get to Bale."

 

[Snake6523]

Okay, so one thing that's definitely missing here is NPC text. Most of the NPC text isn't anything special, but there are a few important ones I'll point out along the way. One in particular I found interesting was an NPC in the first bar/inn in the first town you visit who says something like, "I can't believe people still don't get it. It's about the war". There are two ways of reading this, I think. One is as a metacommentary, in which case this NPC is saying Legend of Dragoon or some other game, whatever 'it' is, is about 'the war'. The other is in the sense the American Republican party liked to say, "It's about the war, stupid." As in, the war is the most important thing right now. To be frank, based on the content of Legend of Dragoon, it doesn't seem to be about any actual war, but there are plenty of JRPGs that are analogous to or make reference to actual wars, like Valkyria Chronicles for instance. So it seems possible.

 

[Snake6523]

I'm inventing a scene. This is directly from my own imagination. Between the Limestone Cave and Bale, Lavitz takes Shana aside and says this:

Lavitz: "Look girl, just because you're 18 doesn't mean you're going to be ready for everything life has to throw at you."
Shana: "I can handle it. I think I'm a pretty good catch."
Lavitz: "There's more to it than that."

 

[Snake6523]

Ch. 1 - 08 - Indels Castle Capital Bale

[The three finally arrive in the bustling town of Bale, and head to the castle
throne room to report to King Albert.]

Lavitz: "I am head of the First Knighthood of the Kingdom of Basil Lavitz Slambert. I've returned from the field."

King Albert: "Oh, Lavitz! I was feeling uneasy, because I had heard you were missing! Oh, please, make yourself comfortable, everyone!"

Lavitz: "Your Majesty, your courtesy is more than I deserve."

Noish: "Ha ha ha! It was true! His Majesty was so dismayed that he couldn't see
to the affairs of state."

King Albert: "Mister Noish, please don't tease me. Lavitz is my childhood friend, besides being a master of the martial arts. Anyway, where have you been?"

Lavitz: "After my battalion, my First Knighthood, was wiped out, I was captured, and held against my will by Sandora."

King Albert: "What... in Hellena?"

Lavitz: "The very place. However, thanks to the actions of this young man, I managed to break free.
Allow me to make the introductions. With me are Dart and Shana. They hail from what was the village of Seles."

King Albert: "I thank you for saving Lavitz. I appreciate it, from the bottom of my heart. You have my graditude, and I can provide you with anything that is needed."

Dart: "I have a favor to ask. Is it possible you could keep a room for Shana here in this castle, take care of her for awhile?"
Shana: "What!?"

Dart: "Imperial Sandora attacked Seles to take Shana away, that's what I was told. I'm sorry to say it, it's something I don't want to think about, but they could come after Shana again."
Shana: "Is that the only reason you brought me here?"
Dart: "Shana...."

Shana: "I can keep up with Dart. I've been working on it, for I don't know how long. I want to look him in the face and be able to say I'm strong enough for him.

It's going to take time to make up for all the years we were apart, but I want to be with you while things are so crazy,
and after that, too!"

King Albert: "Unfortunately, I can't in good conscience suggest you stay here. Imperial Sandora
has obtained the legendary force of the Dragon, and have gone on the offensive.
Here in Hoax, we are holding the line so far, but if the Dragon can fly at
low altitudes and attack the castle directly, we cannot defend, even with the high
ramparts. There is no place safe in Serdio.

Besides, she's made it fairly clear how she feels about the matter, hasn't she?"

Dart: "Shana, it's not going to get easier from here out."
Shana: "I'm up for anything, as long as I can be with you, Dart."

Dart: "Well, I guess I can take back what I said.

But... one more thing. I have something I'd like to ask Minister Noish."

Noish: "You may ask anything, son. My field of study has given me the knowledge of the legendary stories and the illustrious history of the Continent of Endiness."

Dart: "I've been on a journey to pursue the Black Monster."

Noish: "The Black Monster... While we brace ourselves for an attack from a Dragon, I have to consider, perhaps there isn't as much difference between legend and history as I might have thought."
Dart: "The monster that attacked Neet, 18 years ago! You must have heard of it!

But all I know myself is that he deprived me of my parents, and my hometown."

Noish: "You were a victim of the devil himself!"
Dart: "I want to hear everything! Please, tell me!"
Noish: "Hmm, there's hardly any information left. For events so recent, it is certainly mysterious how there seem to be so few accounts detailing the man you encountered. If he has yet to be reduced to ashes himself, everything that was related to him was reduced to ashes. All I know for certain is this: there was a historical 'Black Monster', also refered to as 'the devil whom disobeyed the great existence', or 'the devourer of God'."

Dart: "Devourer... of 'God'?"
Noish: "Yes. Shockingly, this history is not so recent. The first account shows up, in our history, 11,000 years ago."

Albert: "The Dragon Campaign ended 11,000 years ago..."

Noish: "Good point, Your Majesty. Instead, let me tell you the story
of the Dragon Campaign. Taking the position of gods, Winglies once ruled over all
living creatures. We were slaves to the Winglies. The enslaved were treated with terrible
injustice, and suffered. From this struggle, their anger turned to a furious flame;
then, a tremendous gust of wind blew throughout the lands, spreading their
flame into a blazing wildfire. The wind, in reality, was no wind, but Emperor Diaz.
Throughout the ages, seven generations of Dragons served the emperor.
Their bravery inspired the people to take up arms. Thus began the Dragon Campaign.
It was an unforgettable war. Both sides suffered seemingly limitless injuries.
After a long period of suffering, it was the humans who found their way to the promise
of a future, though borne of their discontent and their struggle, bright and prosperous. Thus
began the Age of Humans."

 

[Snake6523]

So, here's something really cool, and I don't mean to spoil it for anyone else because I enjoy figuring these things out on my own, but now's the time to say it:
Every jrpg which ends with the heroes killing God, and there sure are a lot of them, is about gnosticism.

Editor's note tho: It's somewhat implied that Lavitz is in Hellena for some other reason besides being a prisoner of war, but I can't figure out what the joke is supposed to be exactly. In the previous section, he reiterates that he was captured after losing a battle. There was also the POW line near the beginning, which isn't simply a tasteless joke, it's to establish that Hellena is a military installation, not a regular prison, and that Shana, who is not a prisoner of war at all, is an exception to the rule.

 

[Snake6523]

Dart: "So, the Black Monster from back then never appeared until after the Dragon Campaign, 11,000 years ago. It's... probably not the same guy."

[A man enters the throne room.]

Praetorian of Basil: "Excuse me, sir! There is an urgent matter of war which needs to be attended to. We've called an emergency meeting."

King Albert: "We'll have to wrap this up. Tell them we will come soon.
Dart, Shana? This war will be a particularly harsh one for those who no longer have a home to return to. The castle is very quiet now. There is no better place to consider your future together."

Shana: "I thought we already came to a conclusion, the moment we set eyes on each other in Hellena. But, a castle is more luxurious."

King Albert: "The next room over has an excellent view. Please, enjoy yourself."

Shana: "I can picture it already... Please excuse me!"
[Shana goes out onto the balcony.]
Dart: "She doesn't wait for anyone... I'll excuse myself, too. Your Majesty."
[Dart goes onto the balcony as the war meeting begins.]

Dart: "From here, we can see practically every part of Basil. If you squint a bit, doesn't that look like Seles, way out there?"

Shana: "Dart, Seles is on the other side of the mountain. Besides, we've gone too far, even if you squint and it weren't over a mountain... I want everyone to be safe."

Dart: "I'm sure they're okay."
[Lavitz enters.]

Lavitz: "Yes, they're safe. My aide briefed me. Most of the people in the village are safe."
Dart: "Really? Well, that's a relief. But, it will take time to rebuild the village."
Shana: "Still, good... Who knows when we'll be back there, it'll be like meeting everyone all over again."

Lavitz: "That's the good news. On the other hand, Sandora is now readying itself to attack.
They're planning to use the Dragon for the offensive on Hoax. You saw what it did to Seles."
Dart: "Yes, I saw."

Lavitz: "The role of the Knighthood is to stop them before the attack can take place. I'm heading to Hoax now. Maintaining the line will determine the future of Basil."

Dart: "Being here again, seeing all of this. It never occured to me before, I've only been living for myself. I had to complete this by myself, I would leave Shana and Seles behind to do it, that's what I told myself. Almost losing my hometown again, I think that knocked some sense into me. Lavitz. You're not going to Hoax without me! I don't want to see anymore senseless bloodshed!"

Lavitz: "What about the Black Monster?"

Dart: "There's something more important to me, now.

We have to end this war."

Shana: "Once Dart makes up his mind, he never changes it. Of course, I'm the same way. What is it boys always like to say, 'I'm a lover, not a fighter'? Well, I can fight too!"

Lavitz: "Oh brother..."

Dart: "That's what we've decided, there's no going back now."

Lavitz: "Then, let's go to Bale! Really, I'm excited you'll be there with me. There are item shops, weapon shops, a few other miscellaneous shops - I'll show you the best ones - and, most importantly, it's home! You'll get to meet my mother! She's a wonderful host, and she hasn't had company in awhile!"

 

[Venom Dream]

Not sure if I've got any readers but I've got to hold on making updates for awhile. I quit working for about a year because I'm a student but I don't quite have enough for the start of the semester so I got a job at a construction site.

No, really!

I'll be there six days a week and probably sleeping the rest of the time until I get used to it.

Editor's Notes: The shack where Shana bandages Lavitz' leg is across from a cabin, with an animal in the yard. You can't go inside the cabin. Seems like there's someone living there, which means all of the characters are breaking and entering, plus probably using stolen materials for a splint. All three are cool with this. Typical RPG stuff, right?

 

[Venom Dream]

[The party moseys on over to Lavitz' house.]

Lavitz: "Mom! I'm home!"

Lavitz's Mother: "Oh, Lavitz!! It's... I can hardly believe it!! You had me thinking you were dead, I hadn't heard from you for such a long time."

Lavitz: "Sandora's soldiers put up more of a struggle than I expected. But don't worry. Their resistance didn't matter in the end."

Lavitz's Mother: "Your late father would be proud."
Dart: "Lavitz, what about Hellena?"
Shana: "(Don't mention that to his mother!)"
Lavitz: "(Sorry to leave out your daring rescue, but I don't want my mother worried.) I don't know what he's talking about!"
Lavitz's Mother: "Well, fine. It's enough to see you back home, and beside it looks like you've brought someone with you to meet me. Has my baby boy finally found a bride?"
Lavitz: "Oh, no, Mom, she's not-"
Lavitz's Mother: "I'm sure you weren't so shy when you convinced her to come all this way.
What's your name, dear?"
Shana: "Sh, Shana."

Lavitz's Mother: "Shana, my son may seem awkward, or stubborn. But maybe that's only when his mother is hanging around... either way, he is very sweet natured."

Dart: Response 1 --> He's definitely not!
Response 2 --> Good luck, Shana.

R1: "He's definitely not!"

Lavitz: "Dart's right. He and Shana are inseparable."

Dart: "He, Hey!! I'm not Shana's..."

Shana: "It's true. I admit it... I am Dart's sweetheart."

Dart: "Huh!?"

Lavitz's Mother: "Oh! Please excuse me. Take good care of Shana."

Dart: "I don't remember agreeing to this..."

Lavitz: (Once my mom gets an idea into her head, that's the end.
Sometimes it's easier to tell her what she wants to hear.)

R2: "Good luck, Shana."

Shana: "You're not going to put up a fight for me?"

Lavitz: "D, Dart! Don't be silly! Mom. Shana is Dart's sweetheart.

Dart: "What!?"

Lavitz's Mother: "Oh, please excuse me. But you have to be clear about your feelings... Dart, was it? It'll hurt her if you aren't."

Dart: "I, I will say so from now on."

Shana: "So... Then it's official. I really am your girlfriend."

Dart: (I only said it for Lavitz' sake...)
Lavitz's Mother: "Lavitz, this young gentleman might have a grandchild before I do. I hope you've atleast considered finding someone like her, it shouldn't be hard for you."

Lavitz: "I know, I know."

Lavitz's Mother: "And, you'll stay here today, honey?"
Lavitz: "Well, I was commanded to defend Hoax. So, I have to leave as soon
as..."
Lavitz's Mother: "Well, fine, I understand. There's no reason you can't at least stay for lunch. It'll be ready soon, honey. Can't you?"
Shana: "I could give you a hand in the kitchen!"
Lavitz's Mother: "Oh, there's no need... But, then again, maybe..."
Shana: "Really, it'd be my pleasure."
[Shana and Lavitz' mother go into the kitchen.]

Lavitz: "Well, what can we do till lunch? The lunch is not ready yet. What
are we gonna do?"
Response 1 --> They could use a few more hands in the kitchen.
Response 2 --> We could practice our swordplay.
Response 3 --> Aren't you tired after all of that travelling?
Response 4 --> You've got a nice house here. Want to show me around?


R1: "They could use a few more hands in the kitchen."

Lavitz: "Can you cook?"

Dart: "Of course! Otherwise, how could I have travelled alone for five
years?"

Lavitz: "Hmm. And just what kind of dishes can you make?"

Dart: "I can grill the hell out of a hunk of meat. You'd never know where it came from."

Lavitz: "I wonder what you've been hunting... Let's leave the cooking to Shana and Mom."

Dart: "You think so? It's been awhile, but Shana wasn't a very good cook."

Lavitz: "Better than you."


R2: "We could practice our swordplay."

Lavitz: "Hey Hey Hey!!"

Dart: "What's wrong?"

Lavitz: "You're going to fling your sword around in my house?!"

Dart: "What's wrong with that? Your house is massive. It's perfect for this."

Lavitz: "It's not polite."

Dart: "Just kidding.... heh."
Lavitz: "I heard that! What are you laughing about?"

Dart: "Nothing, really."


R3: "Aren't you tired after all of that travelling?"

Lavitz: "..."

Dart: "What's wrong, Lavitz?"

Lavitz: "Dart, I'll decide when to rest of my own accord. You can take a nap for yourself if you like."

Dart: "If you don't sleep, it'll ruin your complexion. It's not like I'm the only one who knows, every young lady does.

Okay, I'll be more serious."


[R4 is the option that needs to be picked.]

Dart: "You've got a nice house here. Want to show me around?"
Lavitz: "There is nothing special about it, but we can kill some time at least.
Walk around wherever you like and I'll tell you about it."
[They enter the first upstairs room.]

Lavitz: "This is my room."

Dart: "There is a cut in the pillar. Were you swinging your sword or something?

Lavitz: "I was measuring my height."

Dart: "I guess this was your childhood home, man, I can't imagine you as a kid."

Lavitz: "What do you mean?"
[They enter the second room.]

Lavitz: "It was my parents' room. It's been my mom's room since my father
passed away in the war."
[They enter the library.]

Lavitz: "This is the library. It's full of tales of chivalry. Are you
interested in that, Dart?"
Dart: "It's my weak point."
Lavitz: "To be honest, most are about strategy, but one isn't very useful without the other."
[Lavitz starts pushing a roll-ladder.]

Dart: "What's the ladder for?"

Lavitz: "Come here."
[He climbs up.]

Lavitz: "I'll show you something close to my heart. It's a treasure of mine."

Dart: "'Treasure'?"
[Dart climbs out onto the roof.]

Lavitz: "Here, this is it. Take a look at it, I think you'll see what I mean."
[Dart can see Indels Castle in the sunlight.]

Dart: "I see... it's a nice view of Indels Castle from here."
Lavitz: "This is what I saw everyday when I was young. I grew up thinking...
'I'll be an knight, just like my father, I'll be admired, and I'll protect this country!' I'll protect everything you see here."
Dart: "Your dream came true."
Lavitz: "Yes, but the reality was much different from how I imagined it back then. There's not much time to wait around to be admired. I feel all the more strongly how great a man my father was. To protect this country I would tear the flesh from my body. It's the same passion you have towards Shana."
Dart: "I definitely... I don't know why I do everything I do for her."
Lavitz: "Because you know the importance of Shana's life, you can risk your
own. You weren't a foolish daredevil when you ventured into Hellena.
Serdio is covered in war clouds now. You are the only one who can
protect Shana. You know that, don't you?"

Dart: "Yeah, I know."

Voice: "Dart! Lavitz! The food is ready!"

Lavitz: "Well, the princess needs us."
[Lavitz goes inside.]

Dart: "'Princess'.... I can't treat her like that, she's just a baby."

 

[Snake6523]

Editor's note [including mildly nsfw cover art]:
Belle and Sebastian - You're Just A Baby
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjvjMDnXERw

The line at the end there was originally Dart saying Shana feels like his "baby sister", but there's some confusion about whether his concern is related to her age or her familiarity to Dart. Since the fondest memory Dart can recall is when he told a dog to go away that one time, it doesn't honestly seem like they know each other very well. I think it's funny to imagine Dart, who is pretty childish himself, deciding that an 18 year old girl is "just a baby", as if, at 24, he is an old man. He also mentions she's "like a sister" multiple times after this so it's redundant anyways.

Also I'm really baffled whenever I run into something that's well written already, and there are a few parts that are. It comes out of nowhere. I'm like, what do I do with this?

 

[Snake6523]

[Quick note here, Bale is very beautiful seaside town. The visuals are one part of this game which are occasionally spectacular, for their time. This explains the two balcony scenes in the previous section. Collecting one of the first pieces of Stardust in the game involves riding in a gondola through a series of winding passageways under and between buildings.]

[As they go to leave town, a woman bumps into them. She is carrying something in a bundle, but it's not obvious what's inside.]

Martel: "Hey! Watch yourself, you buffoon!! Can't you see?"

Dart: "It's not my fault! I was minding my own business and there you were, out of nowhere!"

Martel: "What kind of man needs to make excuses?"

Shana: "Don't yell! It's true!"

Martel: "Now the baby's crying."

Shana: "Oh! Sorry. I was too loud. Oh, poor baby! She is scared, isn't she?"

Martel: "Well, baby, looks like it's time for you and me to hit the road."

[Martel leaves.]

Dart: "What was that?"

Lavitz: "I don't know."

[At Martel's house, if you choose to visit, which you really should. I'd recommend stopping by]

Martel: "Well, well. I thought I might run into you again, you're the first face I saw this morning. You barely gave me a moment before getting... acquainted. Well, perhaps I was a little careless too, so we can just forget that happened, can't we? I was in a hurry, I had something else on my mind."

Knowing Old Geezer: "Ms. Martel has a few questions for me about Stardust. This isn't her first time here."
Dart: "Stardust?"

Shana: "Oh, it's magical! I heard it'll make your wishes come true, but only if you've got a complete collection."

Lavitz: "I've heard a few fairy tales."

Martel: "They're more than fairy tales. At least, I like to believe what I hear... I know I want it.

I could use a wish or two.

Hey, look, if you find some Stardust I just wouldn't mind if you brought it back here, wouldn't you do that for a gal?
Of course, I'm not expecting charity here. I've got some rare trinkets I've found along my journey, they're sentimental to me but... I think I can let them go. For a bit of the good stuff. Won't you make my dreams come true?
That doesn't sound too bad, does it?
You really don't have to, but if you see a bit of Stardust, won't you think of me?"

 

[Venom Dream]

So I haven't been working as often as I expected, and this update is pretty pathetic (good content, very short), but I got my hands on copies of Xenogears and Final Fantasy Tactics which, in all fairness, are much better games. I'll still be writing Legend of Dragoon rewrites now and then.

Editor's Note: You'll see this come up again in the next post. Every time Lavitz mentions the current war he is fighting in, he gives a different story. How long the war has been going on is constantly in flux. Whether the Knights of Basil are on the offensive or the defensive also seems to change from sentence to sentence. He tells the King "we were defeated in battle", his mother "we won in battle" and the other knight who is equal in command to him "we were defeated and it was my fault". This could be a translation error, but I doubt it. Even if I were to "fix" this, I'm not sure what I would change it to.

 

[Venom Dream]

Another brief update.

Ch. 1 - 09 - Town of Hoax

[West of Bale is Hoax, a giant fortress on the battlefront.]

Lavitz: "Let's go to the HQ first. Kaiser from the Eighth Knighthood must be
waiting for us."

Shana: "I can hardly believe this is a town. It looks more like a fortress."

Dart: "It was changed by the war."

Lavitz: "That's true. War never changes, but it changes everything around it. We've been focusing on fortifying our defenses here for a long time."

[The party heads into the building under the hotel.]

Lavitz: "Kaiser! It's been awhile!"

Kaiser: "Lavitz! Welcome! I see your Knighthood was..."

Lavitz: "It was my fault. But I won't let the dreams of my company
die in obscurity. I'll end the war and unify Serdio! I have to, now!"

Kaiser: "It seems we're the type of people who can never stop pushing, we have to make our dreams into reality."

Lavitz: "Yeah! That's the kind of talk that gets me fired up! And I didn't come emptyhanded, these two - Dart and Shana - make for powerful allies."

Kaiser: "Oh! Did you know you're already famous for your rescue of Lavitz? "The Red One", they call you. Ha ha, I wonder where that got started.

I am Kaiser, the head of the Eighth Knighthood! It's a pleasure to meet you."

Dart: "I don't know much, so you'll have to inform me, how do we stand now?"

Kaiser: "We are still preparing for the raid of Sandoras. There's a bigger problem. Intelligence reports confirm what we suspected, information has come to us concerning the use of a Dragon for military purposes."
Lavitz: "It's better to fortify here and see how they move, rather than
charging head-on into a Dragon we don't know anything about."
Dart: "Then we'll have to keep our eyes open. The enemy could push in fast at any moment."

Kaiser: "Great. Absolutely. Dart, Lavitz, why don't you cover guard duty tonight? Two should be enough, Shana can get some rest and prepare meals for the knights... Can you cook?"
Shana: "Cook? Can I ever! Dart, you're going to love it!"

Dart: R1 --> Are you sure you can handle so much?
R2 --> Sure, I'm looking forward to it!

R1 --> Are you sure you can handle so much?

Lavitz: "All of the knights at once... that's a tall order."
Shana: "I've got some talent. Lavitz's mother even gave me a nice compliment!"

Dart: "But from what I remember..."

Shana: "Fine! I won't make anything for Dart, that'll be a little less work then."

Dart: "I-I'm just joking! I'd rather eat what you serve than starve."

Kaiser: "I can see you two have got a very dynamic relationship! Conflict can deepen a relationship in a lot of ways!"

R2 --> Sure, I'm looking forward to it!

Lavitz: "That may be, but all of the knights?"

Shana: "I've got some talent. Lavitz's mother even gave me a nice compliment!"

Lavitz: "As long as it's edible... Soldiers aren't too picky."

Shana: "I don't like how you put that."

Dart: "Relax, I can enjoy just about anything. Just make sure there's enough to go around."

Shana: "Dart... that's not much of an improvement."

Kaiser: "If it's bland, salt it until noone can tell. Those goons wouldn't know what to do if you put somethin' delicate in front of 'em.""

Shana: "You too?! Are they all like this?"
Lavitz: "Kaiser, that's what we already said."

Kaiser: "I thought it would help her relax. Now, I've made up my mind. I want Dart to take a look around Hoax. The night guards will show you your positions. After you know the spots, check in with me. Lavitz, I'll need you to stay here. We'll have to discuss a few developments in the battle so far."

Dart: "Shall we go?"

Lavitz: "Try to get along, you two."

Dart: "Whatever."

 

[Snake6523]

[Forgot to mention: Hoax visually resembles several towns from the Golden Age Arc of Berserk, with features from both the town where you first meet Guts and the fortress which the Band of the Hawk make one of their first attacks on. If you haven't read or watched Berserk, these events happen in the first volume, so you wouldn't have to be overly familiar with the series to recognize these details.]

[Dart goes back to the war meeting room later on.]

Kaiser: "Have you seen what you needed to see? I will take you to the guard position."

Dart: R1 --> Not yet.
R2 --> Now would be fine.

R1: "Not yet."

Kaiser: "I see. You're in luck, we haven't quite hammered out the details of our strategy."
Lavitz: "Could we have a few more minutes?"

R2 --> Now would be fine.

Kaiser: "In that case, we have just finished with our strategic meeting. I'll escort you to your position. You will both be guarding the back gate, at the end of the stairs."

[They go to the stairs outside and find the on-duty guard.]

Dart: "I'm here as your replacement.

You can trust us."

Soldier: "If you say so."

[The soldier leaves.]

Dart: "If Sandora attacks, it will be a night raid."

Lavitz: "We can't take this job lightly. We'll have to stay vigilant once night falls, we're free to rest until then."

[They both rest until it's nighttime.]

Dart: "It's quiet tonight. Look, I don't think anything's going to happen. If the Dragon was here, it'd be obvious."
Lavitz: "Oh yeah? Why's that?"
Dart: "The creatures in the forest know better than we do. You hear hooting, don't you? Those are nocturnal owls. Nobody's in the forest. So, I'm gunna go grab a snack, that's cool?"
Lavitz: "I bet you're planning to check in on Shana."
Dart: "No, just a snack."
Lavitz: "Bring me back something."
[Dart hits the stairs and the hooting stops.]

Dart: "The owls..."

Voice: "AHHHHHH!!"
[Flaming arrows fly into Hoax. Kaiser runs out.]

Kaiser: "Knights, advance!! Fortify the gate!! You, stay on the backlines and keep the bodies out of the battlefield!!"
Soldier: "Y, Yes, Sir!"
Lavitz: "We'll keep them out of the city!"
Dart: "I've been waiting all night for this!"
[Imperial Sandora enemies start attacking, but Dart and Lavitz unmake them.
On top of the wall an elite soldier appears, disposing of the wall guard.]

Sandora Elite: "This is the battle headquarters? Is this all Basil has on the front!? What a weak setup, it's just for show!"

Dart: "I've got the top!"
Lavitz: "Gotcha! Focus on what you're doing, I've got this end covered."

Sandora Elite: "You've really got guts, thinking you can take me alone!!"

[Lavitz kills the enemy and runs up the stairs to Dart.]

Lavitz: "I'm here! Those guys on the bottom are taken care of."
Sandora Elite: "Humph! One, or two, what difference does it make."
Dart: "You've got a big mouth, but you look just like any other Sandoran to me."

[They kill the Sandora Elite. Below, a soldier is getting beaten up by a
ridiculously huge attacker.]

Soldier: "AAGGHH!!"

Lavitz: "What is... that giant... !?"

Knight of Basil: "It's Gi, Giganto!!"

Dart: "... Giganto?"
[They run down to face him.]

Dart: "Lavitz!!"

Lavitz: "I heard about this guy, but seeing it in person is a different story! The ones who fought so far were no match for him."
Dart: "Well, he might be giant, but I'd rather fight him than a Dragon! Let's do this!!"

[This is the first non-standard battle in the game. If you don't finish your combos against Kongol (I thought his name was Giganto? He has two names?) he counter attacks, so you've got to be really precise. Gameplay-wise this is where the battle system starts to get its footing. But as text it's a lot of "Agggh!" and "!!", and that's not very interesting]
[They defeat Kongol, but Dart gets knocked back when he tries to deal the
coup de grace. The woman who saved him at the very beginning of the game
flies in on bat-like wings, wearing elaborately decorated purple armour, and points her sword at Dart.]

Woman: "Awaken! Dragoon of the Red-Eye Dragon!"

[A red light fills Dart, similar to the light which came from Shana when the snake exploded in the cave.]

Dart: "Ahhhh!?"

[The spirit of the Red-Eye Dragon swoops around and beats Kongol down. Dart
looks at himself and is surprised to find he is now wearing similar armor to the woman's. He gets his own set of wings, as well.]

Soldier of Imperial Sandora: "What are we fighting against? Are they even human?!"
[The remaining soldiers flee.]

Lavitz: "Dart, you're looking sharp. What did you do back there?"

Dart: "I don't know what... I didn't do this myself."

[The woman walks over.]

Rose: "You've awakened to your true potential. The Knight of the Dragon, the Dragoon, has been born.

I'm surprised you didn't die."

Kongol: "UGH....
Giganto don't die! Giganto will pay you back... in full!!"

[Kongol retreats. Shana runs out to Dart.]

Shana: "Dart!"

Dart: [exhales sharply] "You're safe."

[Dart's Dragoon armor fades away.]

Shana: "What happened!?"

Dart: "Seeing Shana's face.... I guess it helps me... let my guard down..."

[He collapses.]

 

[Snake6523]

Editor's Note: Can Hans, the pig with wings from Valkyria Chronicles, actually fly, or are the wings simply decorative? Asking for a friend.

Does losing karma in Fallout 3/New Vegas actually do anything? Also asking for a friend.

If I listen to Teddy Bears Picnic while playing Legend of Dragoon will it ruin the mood? This one, I'm asking for myself. Makes me miss micspam servers in Team Fortress 2

Once I namedropped Killer7 in a Twitch Splatoon stream and the (Japanese) moderator deleted my message. What was that all about?

I have a lot on my mind.

I've started putting the editor's notes in the text of the story where appropriate.

I like to think when Rose shows up at the very beginning and says, "The Green Tusked Dragon, Feyrbrand," she says it like she's narrating a nature documentary.

 

[Snake6523]

[In his semi-conscious state, Dart can hear his comrades talking.]

Shana: "What are you to Dart? What did you turn him into?!"

Rose: "What you saw is all there is to him."

Lavitz: "Both of you, cut it out."

[Dart wakes up on a bed.]

Rose: "I should be thanked, what are you trying to accomplish by yelling at me?"
Dart: "Ah...."

Lavitz: "He's coming around."
Dart: "I, I was..."

Shana: "I'm glad you woke up..."
Dart: "You, you are...."

Rose: "Rose. You did seem familiar."
Shana: "So you do know Dart!"
Rose: "I told you. It seems I'm in the business of saving his life. More than once, now."

Shana: "If you really did, Dart can tell me himself."

Lavitz: "Dart, you explain. She's being vague."

Dart: R1 --> She saved my life.
R2 --> She's an important person to me.

R2 --> Dart: "She's an important person to me."

Rose: "What do you mean by that?"

Dart: "No, no, not that way. It's not every day I need to be saved. I'd have never made it to Seles without you, Rose."

R1 --> Dart: She saved my life.

Shana: "Then, when you met the Dragon, it was..."

Dart: "Yeah. She made an incredible first impression. Here we are talking about how you saved me and I haven't even thanked you yet."

Rose: "You don't need to thank me. I did it because I wanted to."

Dart: "I see... why are you here, anyways? It's got to be more than a coincidence."

Rose: "I followed you here. I was fascinated. I have an affinity towards this artifact you
own... the Dragoon Spirit of the Red-Eye Dragon."

Dart: "That's what this light is?!"

Rose: "It's clear to me now, you are fit to handle Dragons. This light is all the evidence I need. The Dragoon Spirit has started to shine, so accept your fate. From here on, you are a Dragoon. We are the same."

Dart: "I didn't know my father's memento was anything other than a regular jewel."
Shana: "You only saved him because you knew from the beginning he had something you wanted."

Rose: "I didn't 'know' a damn thing. It was a test! To see if he could be a Dragoon. If not, I can't guarantee you wouldn't both be dead now."

Lavitz: "It seems like you know a few things to me. You know more than a commoner, this isn't something people talk about."

Rose: "It's better than ignorance, isn't it?"

Lavitz: "That's true, but yours isn't general knowledge. It's a story in a legend only historians are familiar with.

I heard about it from Minister Noish, a historian.
The people who led Humans to victory in the Dragon Campaign, they were the Dragoons."

Dart: "That's not really the only reason you protected me, is it? Just because I have a Dragoon Spirit?"

Rose: "I didn't know why I cared at first, I surprised myself, but now I know. You reminded me of people I used to know, all of you do. They lived in the middle of a turbulent generation, but they were strong enough to take ahold of their own fate. They knew the way to go, the things to do, the enemy to defeat and who mattered to them most of all.
They knew who to protect.
I feel the same about you guys, so, it's what I had to do. Does that make sense?"

Dart: "Can I ask you one thing? Those friends of yours, what are they doing now?"

Rose: "Everybody's gone. It's all in the past."
Shana: "I'm so sorry. I think I was wrong about you, Rose."
Rose: "It's okay. I've gotten used to that sort of reaction."

Voice: "Is the head of the Knighthood, Sir Kaiser, here!? The, The Seventh Fort is under siege by Sandorans!"
[Outside, they find a soldier.]

Knight of Basil: "The Seventh Fort in the Marshland is bracing itself against the Dragon! The Tenth and Thirteenth Knighthoods have almost been overwhelmed!
We're still receiving word from those who are still alive!"

Lavitz: "Where the hell did it come from?"

Knight of Basil: "The forest over the Volcano Villude. That's where you'll find the Dragon's Nest."
[Kaiser appears.]

Kaiser: "Gigantos, Dragons. This is hardly a fight between Humans anymore. If we can't get past the Dragon, there's no future for us."
Lavitz: "Summon the rest of the knights, there's no time for fooling around! We'll assault the Dragon's Nest immediately."

Rose: "The Knighthood has the advantage of numbers, but they're only human. It takes more than an average human to take care of a Dragon. If this continues, Basil will be completely destroyed."
Lavitz: "There's no way to know until we try!"

Rose: "I imagine dying in vain seems honourable to you. Leave this to the Dragoons... leave this to Dart. You should understand this. Our existence is not like yours. We are beyond Humans."

Lavitz: "That's right... I know the history, too. Dragoons, which were said to have governed the Dragons, can fight against the Dragon."

Dart: R1 --> Maybe I have what it takes, now.
R2 --> I still don't know...

R1 --> Dart: "Maybe I have what it takes, now. I felt it inside me, the power of the Dragon.
I believe in that power. I'll do it!"

R2 --> Dart: "I still don't know... I still don't know what it is to be a Dragoon."

Rose: "You feel powerful, don't you? That is the power of the Dragon, your birthright."
Dart: "There's this flame in me, I feel it! It's like I'm burning up inside. I'll do it! I
believe in this power!"

Kaiser: "It makes me feel relieved.... There's not a single soldier left in the Eighth Knighthood who is ablebodied. Dart, Rose...it seems you are the only people we can count on..."

Lavitz: "Kaiser!! Yo, you...you're bleeding!"

Kaiser: "It's nothing to worry about. Dart, Rose. The Kingdom of Basil is finished unless we
defeat the Dragon. So, what can we expect?"

Dart: "Have faith in me. I'm not just fighting for myself."
Rose: "I'll go too. ... ... You'll need me."
Kaiser: "Shana.... You...should stay."
Shana: "Are you kidding me? I'm pretty decent at fighting, if you ask me, and even Lavitz knows I'll make a good wife, but there's no reason I can't help other people too!"

[A roaring sound can be heard in the distance.]

Rose: "Feyrbrand makes another appearance."
Dart: "I remember what it was like being under that thing."
Rose: "This is barely the beginning."

[Later, Dart goes to leave and overhears two knights talking above him.]

Knight A: "It was incredible!!"

Knight B: "What about it?"

Knight A: "That Dart fella, yesterday he showed up in this crazy red armor and Kongol was done!!"

Knight B: "With Dart around, Imperial Sandora's not even fit to be our enemy."

Knight A: "Dart is the messiah of the Kingdom of Basil!"

Rose: "Messiah, huh? You can't go around calling yourself a Dragoon if you're getting stunned like you were last night, bursting without self-control."

Dart:
R1 --> "..."
R2 --> "Then, tell me, Rose."

R1 --> Dart: "..."

Rose: "I'll be here for a while. Go prepare for the departure."

R2 --> Dart: "Then, tell me, Rose. How should I fight as a Dragoon."
Rose: "Well, let's practice."

[There is an optional training sequence where Rose gives a tutorial on a few new gameplay mechanics. During battle, most characters in the game (once they receive the appropriate gems in the storyline) can transform into Dragoon mode. Dragoon mode, when first unlocked, lasts only one or two turns, but is the only way to gain access to magic, as well as a powerful physical combo attack. The player can rebuild their Dragoon meter in a few turns and transform into Dragoon mode several times in a single battle. A lengthy fight might involve transforming into Dragoon mode upwards of 8 or 9 times, so it's not just a finishing move. Rose taunts him a bit if he misses his combos, saying variations to the tune of "I know you've got more in you than that". If he completes the combos, she only says "I guess that's good enough". I'm paraphrasing.]

[Now, the game throws you for a loop. While it's not expressed in dialog, coming up is a section where the game gives extremely misleading directions to the player, including a signpost which is facing the wrong direction, a marker on the overworld which is not at all where you are actually intended to go, and graphical elements which appear to be part of the background but are not. This has nothing to do with the localization. Most players will get lost here. If you do happen to stumble on the way forward by accident before going the wrong direction, your characters will be slightly underleveled in the next section, which includes multiple consecutive boss fights. Overall it's just silly, and after the game is finally starting to pick up steam, it's very discouraging to have to stop here and look for directions.]

 

[Snake6523]

Editor's Note: On second thought, when Dart calls Shana his "sister" multiple times throughout the game, this might be in reference to Mint from Tales of Phantasia, who is a 'cleric', or a nun. But the Japanese idea of what being a nun constitutes isn't exactly accurate to what European nuns actually were, so she's essentially only a nun for show. Tales of Phantasia wasn't localized when it was released on Super Famicom, and the most widely avaliable translation of the game for American audiences is a fan-made script for the ToP ROM which would never fly in an actual release, full of references to sex, spousal abuse, appropriated out of context religious references, and I believe one character in the fan translation says "I bet [Mint] *****s like a tiger". I figure it's about as true to the original ToP as what I'm writing right now is to Legend of Dragoon.

I also think it's interesting Rose admits to stalking Dart without being pushed on the subject. I didn't make that up myself. She wants the Dragoon Spirit of the Red-Eye Dragon

 

[Venom Dream]

A popular tagline for this game when it was released, probably included in the presskit which was sent to journalists at the time, was that it was developed by a team of "over 100" famous RPG developers who had previously been involved in the making of popular titles, such as Chrono Trigger and Tales of... series. While at first this explains a lot of problems with the game - a case of too many cooks in the kitchen - the truth is, by the time PS1 rolled around, almost all games had development teams of "over 100" developers, and since most of those programmers, writers, play testers, composers, etc were likely to have had previous experience in the industry, this is essentially a way of saying "Legend of Dragoon is a huge game", with a bundled joke about how myths, such as how many workers it took to build something enormous, tend to get exaggerated or heavily distorted with time.

 

[Venom Dream]

"My body is a cage.
This union is cage about a cage about a cage.
And this, and this town too.
I'll see you once in a while but I can't be seen with you.
This place is a narrative mess.
The floor a tangle of bedsheets and battered sundress.
The ink has dried in the well.
The journey once was consequential,
Now: sequential, sequential, sequential, sequential."

- Owen Pallett, aka Final Fantasy, on "Keep the Dog Quiet"

 

[Snake6523]

Very short update because I am still working on this and I wanted to show some signs of life.

---

[Dart goes to leave.]

Rose: "Once we leave town, I won't be able to watch over you every second anymore. You were a child before, now you're a Dragoon."

Ch. 1 - 10 - Marshland

[The party arrives at the Basil fort and finds it still under seige by the Imperial Sandora. This fort is mentioned in the dialog but is a dead end, heading this way doesn't advance the plot. Here, you'll find five consecutive battles, which have to be completed in sequence. Leaving the area respawns all five battle triggers.]

[After five battles, Dart kills the Commander.]

Dart: "I wonder if it's dangerous inside the fortress? Did they make it that far?"

[The inside is silent -- all dead or dying from poisonous mists.]

Dart: "Oh my god..."

Lavitz: "Hold on! We cut you a path out of here!"
Head of 10th Knighthood: "Ah, Ahh, Sir Lavitz. If you get close... watch for the Dragon's
breath. This...is...." [Obtain: Wargod's Amulet]
[He dies.]
Lavitz: "Sandora always leaves in their wake the stink of death. We will avenge you."

[Now that the fate of the Tenth Knighthood is known, the party heads off to
Volcano Villude, which is between the Basil Fort and the Dragon's Nest. As they walk...]

Shana: "Yeek!"

Dart: "What's wrong, Shana?"

Shana: "I'm fine. My leg got sucked into the mud, that's... See, it's just. Oh no."

Dart: "Did you twist your ankle?"
Shana: "It's not hurt..."

Dart: "Well, it doesn't look like you can stand up. Come on, I'll give you a piggy back ride."
Shana: "... It's embarrassing."
Dart: "What are you talking about? It's not like I've never given you a piggy back ride, I used to give you them all the time when when you were little, remember?"

Shana: "Oh, that's not what was embarrassing! Thanks."
[She gets on his back.]

Shana: "Don't I make so much trouble for you?"

Dart: "I don't think so."
Shana: "What if I had stayed behind, would that have been better..."
Dart: "Are you serious?"

Shana: "No way, you've never seen me serious... I had a weak moment... You know what, I'm feeling more confident already. I can fight, just like I said, for everybody. I might not be decked out for combat like Rose.
I'm not a Dragoon. I'm not a drag on you either."

Dart: "Shana, there's something only you can do. You fixed up Lavitz pretty well, he's back good as new. You don't need to pretend to be strong.

If you don't feel like you're strong enough, you can rely on me more. Like you used to..."

Lavitz: "Dart! Is Shana all right!?"

Shana: "I'm okay now!"

[Shana gets off.]

Shana: "I'm not hurt. I told you all along, silly. Are we going to go, or what?"

 

[Venom Dream]

Ch. 1 - 11 - Volcano Villude

[In the swelter of the volcano, the ground shakes as the party passes through.]

Dart: "What now?!"

Lavitz: "The volcano... is that an eruption?"

Rose: "No, not this one. This is caused by... a Firebird. Some timing, showing up now.
We've still got a Dragon to deal with."

Dart: "Can we just let it go?"

Rose: "He'll decide."

[The Fire Bird by the lava squawks at Dart.]

Dart: "He saw us! Run!!"


[They run down the path a ways.]

Shana: "He doesn't seem to be following..."

Dart: "Well, good. Let's move on."

[As they pass through a river of lava, Shana kneels on the ground.]
Shana: "!? What... is this feeling? It's... calling me!?"

[She runs off.]
Dart: "Shana! Where the hell are you going!?"

[Dart follows her to a room with a giant, creepy-looking statue halfway
submerged in the lava.]
[dramatic pause]

Dart: "Shana... Why would something like this be... 'calling' you."

Shana: "I don't know!! Don't act like it's my fault. When I came. I didn't hear the voice anymore."

Dart: "I don't think it's alive."

Lavitz: "Looks like a statue from here. Who wants to take a closer look?"

Shana: "Don't get closer! I feel... something's very wrong."

Rose: "Listen to Shana. This Virage is still alive."

Dart: "Virage...?"

Rose: "Shouldn't you know? You knew about the Dragon Campaign.
[blank looks]
I'll explain it to you. The Winglies weren't weak, but they were outnumbered. This creature known as a Virage was their trump card in the war. Humans used Dragons, Winglies used Virage."

Shana: "Minister Noish said the Dragon Campaign was over 11,000 years ago. Dart's right, how could it be alive?"

[Part of the "statue"'s hand moves.]

Rose: "It's a restless spirit, with a vendetta against Dragoons like us.
If being here is enough to wake it after all this time, I'd say we gotta score to settle."

Dart: "Or, let's use our special technique.

Run!!"

[The Virage takes the initiative, so running is impossible. They defeat it
anyhow, and Dart pushes it into the lava to die. Lavitz is near the edge and
almost gets a faceful of the stuff.]

Lavitz: "This place is really dangerous! Are you sure we want to stay here? Let's go back."

Dart: "Are you serious!
Hey, Shana. Are you alright?"

[Rose looks at the sinking Virage.]

Dart: "Rose! Rose! Run!"

[She casually strolls away from the edge, in no danger whatsoever.]

[They hear a voice outside.]

???: "Heeey! Is anybody there?"

Dart: "Listen. Did you hear something?"

???: "Heeey! Uhm! Help, won't you help??"

Shana: "Look! Over there!"

[A man's clothing is caught on a branch by the cliff.]

Dart: "Oh, it's not another Visage calling you. It's a man!"

???: "Help me!! My foot slipped, and, I feeell!!"

Dart: "Gotcha!"

[Dart pulls him up.]

???: "Phew! Thanks! I wasn't going to make it! Really!!"


Shana: "*huff huff* Getting into trouble seems like the thing to do."

???: "I still can't thank you enough, please at least take this!"

Shana: "Oh, don't! We can't accept such an expensive item. Maybe on the second date?"
Dart: [aside] "Take it. If you give it back to him, he'll feel like he failed.
It's a man thing."

Shana: "Well, thank you." [Obtain: Sapphire Pin]

Dabas: "I'm Dabas of Lohan. I was told this is the place to find a 'Burning Gem', somewhere around here, have you seen anything along those lines? Look what happened to me, came all the way here and all I found is you lovely folks, which is dandy, but you're no antiques. By the way, I'm an antique dealer. If you happen to be in Lohan, why don't ya drop by. Later!"
[Dabas leaves.]

Shana: "He's really funny!"

[Around the next corner, the Firebird reappears]

Dart: "It's back! The phoenix!"

Lavitz: "We never fought it to begin with..."

Dart: "This time, my special technique! Where's the exit?"

Shana: "We can't! It's in flames!"

Dart: "I guess, we got somethin' to settle!"

[They kill Firebird.]

Dart: "It was a hot fight, just how I like it."

[It's only a skip and a jump to the Dragon's Nest from there.]

----

Hey wow hi it's been awhile!
I told a bit of a joke earlier, the part coming up which I said is "like the Masamune quest in Chrono Trigger" is actually like Dante's Inferno, and before writing it I wanted to reread Inferno to make sure I'm doing it in the right style, but Inferno is a total slog and no fun to read so I never got around to it.

One of Dart's most common attacks is called "Volcano!" and it's got this voice clip to go with it, even though the game isn't voice acted the special attacks are, so you hear "Volcano!" about a dozen times per battle. Relatively speaking it's less silly than than Rose's "Whip Smack". Here is the volcano in question. They're finally in the volcano Dart is so excited about.

Some of the music I linked to in the topic is not related to Legend of Dragoon in any way, but this one I think is intentional.

 

[Venom Dream]

Ch. 1 - 12 - Nest of Dragon [Dragon's Nest]

[The Dragon's Nest, in game "Nest of Dragon", is not what you would expect. It's subterranean, first of all, and rather than being a regular cave it has a fine gloss to everything and the walls of the cave look somehow organic. It's designed in the style of H.R. Giger, so if you've seen the ancient alien temples in Alien or Prometheus, or played point and click adventure games I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream or King's Quest 7, you'll have seen his art, and it will be instantly recognizable.]

Rose: "The three of you. You haven't noticed yet? This forest is contaminated by the Dragon's poison."

Lavitz: "I see. That explains why the Sandoras don't have an outpost here, no defense whatsoever. I doubt a normal person exposed to this 'poison' would last a long time.
It's natural."

Shana: "Oh my."
Dart: "What's wrong!?"

Shana: "Actually, I do feel a little bit dizzy, but that's all."

Lavitz: "It's hard for a woman."

Rose: "Oh? I'm a woman too."

Lavitz: "You, are special."

Rose: "'Special', huh? You don't seem to consider yourself 'normal', either. I wouldn't capitalize on a woman's frailty."

Shana: "Oh, no. I didn't mean...
I'm okay. See? Rose is fine too. But, I...
I'm sorry. I'm feeling faint.
I'll faint, at this rate. I should...
I should rest."

[Shana walks off.]

[Shana sits down by a warped tree.]

Dart: "Shana.

This isn't like you."

Shana: "Isn't it? Don't worry. I don't feel sick anymore. I think I'm getting used to it. Getting used to the air in this place."

Dart: "Then, can you go with us?"

Shana: "I could, but...
If I down fall here, like this, if this is all I can do, there's no point in me being with you."

Lavitz: "How can I put this? If they have no move to make, the war is in our hands."

Dart: "Shana. Please don't leave us like that. We don't know yet what'll happen."

Shana: "Sorry..."
Dart: "Come over here, for a second."
[Dart and Shana walk off.]

Rose: "They are playing brother and sister."
Lavitz: "Yup, that's all they know how to do."

[The party walks over a web-covered hole and--]

Dart: "!? Wow!"

[--falls through, of course. At the bottom, they wait for Shana to come to.]

Dart: "Good, you've come around."
Shana: "Yes. I think... I'll be going with you."

Dart: "Where are we?"

Rose: "In the nest of the Dragon."

Dart: "We don't need to look for Feyrbrand anymore."

Rose: "What confidence you have. Have you accepted you are a Dragoon?"



Shana: "Guys, look at this! There's still pure water, even in a poisoned forest like this. It's not all spoiled."

Dart: "Let's go. If we defeat this monster, the whole forest is saved. We can't settle for one little pond."

[A knight is at the nest's end, standing by the upward climb to the exit.]

Lavitz: "Who's this!?"

????: "Is that you, Lavitz?! I'd never expect to find you in such an unpleasant place. Aren't you used to a life of lavishness by now?"

Lavitz: "You are...Greham!!"
Dart: "Do you know him?"

Lavitz: "It's more than knowing him. I'll never forget him!
He was the head of the Second Knighthood of Basil...Greham! He was, used to be, my father's best man. Used to be."

Greham: "Welcome, Lavitz. You have become a knight, and what does that entail? Here you are fulfilling the wishes of your late father, Servi."

Lavitz: "How could you ever mention my father's name!"
Greham: "Are you still carrying a grudge after more than a dozen years, your father's grudge?"

Lavitz: "If that was all, I'd still hate you. You did more than betray my father. You betrayed every single person I know. You betrayed King Albert!"

Greham: "Is that the wrath of a knight, for his country, or of a man full of pointless, vain anger?"
Lavitz: "It's both, Greham. The only good you ever did, was being here. I can avenge my father. He died for trusting you!"

Greham: "Vengence, huh? That's exactly what I meant by vanity. Try! See if you can truly best me! You don't know yet, I've obtained a new power."
[He glows with a green Dragoon Spirit.]
Greham: "Emerge!! The power of the Dragon!!"

Lavitz: "You...you're a Dragoon!?"
Rose: "You don't know a damn thing about Dragons, do you? Only Dragoons can manipulate Dragons. If there's a Dragon fighting for them, there's a man behind the Dragon."

[Feyrbrand appears.]

Greham: "You get to witness the power I obtained with your own eyes."

Rose: "He makes it sound like anyone can obtain this power. Where did someone like you get the Dragoon Spirit?"

Greham: "Knowing Basil, I'm amazed there is anyone from that place who truly understands. Fine. You too will know before you die. His Majesty Doel is the hier to Emperor Diaz, who personally imbued Majesty Doel with his power and knowledge."

Rose: "Is this an illusion, or a dream? Emperor Diaz died 11,000 years ago. With the name of the Holy Imperial Gloriano."

Greham: "Don't mislead yourself, you can't explain away what you are about to witness.
Come! I will not deny you a chance to avenge your father. That is, if you have the
courage to fight against the legendary Dragoon!"