LEVELS 16-20 cont.

The Wise Dragon wonders why humans never notice anything, like how peculiar the moon looks.  “The waters of the River of Time keep whispering.  I wish they’d speak up.”  The Wise Dragon is a sit and think type of guy, always thinking about the eternal.  He says many have tried to find the Mystery Chamber.  “Your Uncle also searched for the Mystery Chamber, and things didn’t turn out so well for him.  Let’s see what becomes of you.”  He asks what you would wish for if you found the Mystery Chamber.  “Take your time.  Remember to make the right wish.  The experience of previous adventurers will guide you.”  Over the years, the Dragon witnessed many seekers of the Mystery Chamber, many of whom were lovely people.  Pity he had to kill them.  But he’s not a heartless beast; he’s much wiser than those little trifles like vengeance and wrath.  “Just because I’ve breathed a little fire here and there doesn’t mean you’re next.  Or does it?”  Being a learned dragon, he quotes Latin “sic transit Gloria mundi (thus passes the glory of the world) and plays the ancient art of chess and classical music by Mozart and Vivaldi.  He speaks poetically like “You return like the wind brings the wave to shores”, “I am but a grain of sand in the hands of eternity”, “A soldier who doesn’t desire to be a general is a bad soldier” and “Dismay clutches my soul with icy fingers and the world is out of balance.”  He also asks rhetorical questions such as “How many sunrises have already been?”, “Where does river water flow?” and “Where do birds fly away at fall”?  Being a Wise Dragon is exhausting and people can be so talkative.  He claims to love silence and waits “silent as a sphinx.”  Fire!  Screams!  The Dragon had a nightmare about Valeria entering the Chamber and making a crazy wish!  He once felt affection for Valeria and hopes you don’t make her mistakes.  Valeria didn’t deserve his trust, unlike you.  “Although she did light up my life.”  The Dragon, living in an existential vacuum, is suddenly engrossed by memories.  In the mood for a chat, he asks if you would like to take over the world or find all the treasure in the world.  Satisfied you’re not greedy and your thoughts are heavenly, the Dragon warns you to stay alert.  He respects obedience and humility although he has none himself.  One lunatic can destroy an empire and the Dragon is “here to prevent bad people from entering the Mystery Chamber.”  “Here’s some wisdom – don’t cherish illusions.  Everything may change.”  The Dragon ponders the question of omnipotence “Sometimes I wonder - how wise and powerful am I?  All I know is that I can hide the Mystery Chamber.  And this is enough.”  Life is like a comet.  Some are a flash of history while others are burned to ash by flames, like Valeria.  “That’s how it works.  Which comet will you become?”  The Dragon knows the mysteries of the Castle and all the victims of the past.  “Yes, your Uncle was a victim.”  The arrogant Wise Dragon says no creature is his equal and you, as a mere mortal, can’t hold a candle to him.  And, being only a mortal, wonders if you can change the course of events. 

LEVELS 16-20 cont.

Henry’s memories are misty during the time he was a troll.  His daughter, a vampire, is so grown up and beautiful.  He wonders if you know anything about her admirer.  “She might be a vampire, but I’m still her father!”  Henry’s not sure anyone else has mentioned it, but he thinks your Uncle was murdered by the Chamberlain.  Henry is wary of a strange ritual rumored to have been carried out nearby and asks you to collect what’s left.  Examining the things you brought, Henry notices the initials of Anabel’s admirer.  He sees a werewolf’s sign and suddenly wants better protection.  “Well, I feel more comfortable now.  Though I still don’t like that friend of my daughter’s.”  Henry, wanting to understand his daughter, decides to give Anabel a gift.  But how do you shop for a vampire?  The teddy bear and the Black Widow, which the ancient book says vampires love, will be a surprise.  Your help proves invaluable and, as such, he would never eat you.  Henry can’t wait to surprise Anabel and see her pale face.  Henry is having nightmares about being turned back into a troll.  Claiming to be completely broke and owing at least a dozen people, Henry plans to search his chests for treasures to sell.  One of his Troll friends is having a birthday (he saw it on Facebook) and he needs to get a gift.  Another friend, the necromancer, also had a birthday recently and Henry needs to get a belated gift.  While Henry was resting, goblins broke into his hut and ransacked it.  He decided to hire a guard, who demands some special payment.  Henry appreciates all your help and asks you to come by when he’s done cleaning up the mess.

The Werewolf Knight, a heartsick Knight in love, is pleased Anabel agreed to see him and wants to give her a gift.  He wonders what Anabel’s reaction to his gift will be.  Things are uncertain with Anabel, but she is the love of his life and he will never give up.  He dreams of the day Anabel will be his.  “The word around the castle is that your Uncle was murdered, and that the Chamberlain did it.  I don’t put a lot of stock in rumors, but I’ve never trusted the Chamberlain anyway.”  The Knight Is also looking for his real father and the only hint is the title of the Knight’s final quest which is “clan leader.”  He vows not to let his father down.  But it isn’t easy finding traces of his father and the Knight must bribe someone for the information he needs.

LEVELS 16-20 cont.

The Castle Keeper appears in the Castle Entry.  He says he must preserve peace in the castle, but it’s nice to see a new challenger.  While you must obtain knowledge, bleak thoughts are filling the castle and you must fight all obstacles in your path.  Stand your ground or the Castle will fall.  While the Keeper can see the entire castle, he can’t walk around it.  It’s becoming more and more difficult to hold back the creatures of the night.  “I need a way to break the chains!  We’re one step closer to eliminating the shackles of evil.”

The Witch appears in the Underground Grotto.  Arabella Scales says “So we meet again.  Just my luck to run into you!  I wasn’t mistaken about you.  I’m a fine judge of character.”  Since the Chamberlain trusts you, the Witch will try to trust you too.  She says her grandmother was a witch who taught Arabella how to create the rune you’re looking for, but she needs help gathering ingredients.  Due to the popularity of her love potions, her stock is running out.  Even though she seems friendly with Lord Chamberlain and always wants to help him, she says “he’s nearly out of time.”  Despite being a witch, she has responsibilities to him and continually lets the Chamberlain think he’s being the clever one.  She believes alchemy is not a hobby, but a calling.  Her favorite potions are the poison ones, but poison can fade.  You help with the cure when her gargoyles suddenly fall ill.

Skull Pete, in Mirror Lake, is doomed to be fleshless forever due to Lord Chamberlain’s curse.  Pete is tired of being immortal and just wants to be a fleshy pirate again.  Pete misses his ship terribly and longs for the smell of the sea air.  While he muses there’s never enough treasure, he confesses he loves weapons more than gold.  Despite all your help with the rituals, the curse is still with him.  But the old pirate is grateful to you.

LEVELS 21-23

The Werewolf Knight is still a Knight, whatever his appearance.  He found someone who has the rune you need, but his trust must be earned with a few gifts.  This person gets the Knight’s “hackles up” and is described as having a chess collection and rings on each of his fingers.  After sifting through a web of lies, the Knight has a lead on his father’s whereabouts but the source demands payment.  A band of thieves targets the Knight, but with your help, he’s safe.  The thieves, along with everyone else, are now scared of the Knight.  He’s “never seen such fear in my neighbors’ eyes.”  He worries that Anabel, who hasn’t been forthcoming and “isn’t the easiest woman to love”, will forget him when he’s gone.  Some parting gifts should help.  The Knight’s father “passed through one of the neighboring settlements but the residents are too afraid to talk.”  He doesn’t “want to use any force there” so maybe a gift to their leader would help.  Finally, there’s a decent chance the Knight could find his father.  Suddenly, the Knight feels his animal nature waking up.  Some protective amulets should help keep his inner wolf at bay.  You helped the Knight maintain his chivalry, making you his true friend.  It’s nearly Dark Valentine’s Day and the Knight sends you on a mission to find gifts for Anabel.  If you get back before the big day, Anabel will “never forget my generosity, nor I yours.” 

The Keeper of the Castle can see the past, present and future.  “It flows by him like a rushing river.”  “Sometimes a good relationship is more valuable than gold.  Sadly, the world is full of false virtues but he believes you’ll succeed.  He says Arabella is a witch because she rejected the power of good and asks you to check on Henry, who may be in danger.   

The Wise Dragon muses how “Knights love princesses; dragons love princesses, princesses love Knights.  Princesses are so fickle, aren’t they?” “Mortals are so complicated, so much more complex than dragons!”  He says “Like sands through the hourglass, our lives dribble away.”  But not his; he’s immortal!  Since you prove to be such a hard worker, “I guess I’m going to bed hungry again.”

LEVELS 21-23 cont.

The Chamberlain is “getting the impression that you find collaboration with me distasteful.  Well, we’re not finished yet.”  He’s aware of the control he exercises over you despite your issues with him.  He admires one of your greatest qualities, never letting people down.  “It’s an unjust world.  Only the fittest survive.  I do what I have to do.  And so should you.”  Your cooperation makes the Chamberlain pause and wonder “Does this mean the ice between us is melting?  Hmm…your eyes say differently.”  Your obedience makes him very happy. 

Skull Pete hasn’t forgotten about money, despite being a skeleton.  He’s found the way to return his human appearance and asks for your help.  Close to his dream, Pete retrieved the recipe that will return his human form.  He finally outwitted the curse of Lord Chamberlain and wonders if you can “imagine what pleasure it is to stop rattling with his old bones.”  Desiring more coins, Pete knows the ghost innkeeper has found a large sum of money.  But Salty doesn’t deserve wealth and, being a pirate, it’s Pete duty to separate Salty from that wealth.  Pete celebrates with some unrivaled Elvish rum and then debates the merits of selling it for profit, although the elves might ask something in return.  After your help in procuring a new sword, Pete says “My friend Rudolph would have called you a good soul.”  (could this be Rudoguil?)  He constantly calls you apprentice and says it’s a pity you weren’t on board his ship with him.  Pete was cheated on a deal when a certain person promised to make him a new mast.  Well, at least he still has some gold.  Pete knows time is money and wonders “Do you love gold as much as I do?”  Once again, he offers you some fine Elvish rum.  Totally forgetting what it means to be human, Pete realizes he shouldn’t have had quite so much rum.  He really needs to get his head back in the game.  After resting, he’s aggravated he can’t find his rum and wonders why you’re laughing at him.  But the old pirate is proud of you and promotes you from apprentice to ship boy to senior seaman.  But, unfortunately, Skull Pete is only interested in more rum and stiffs you on any reward. 

LEVELS 21-23 cont.

Salty’s ghost is busy polishing the bar stools with his vapor.  Salty vents about trying to strike a deal with a pirate.  But there’s been an emergency at the Inn.  One of his deals went south and he needs to recoup before his client gets testy.  That was a close call and Salty wonders “Have you ever bought a pig in a poke?  This is a disaster!  I need to sell it, but first I’ll have to disguise it.  Phew, it’s getting harder to do business.”  One bit of advice…”buy low, sell high.”

Arabella would be awfully grateful to her favorite mortal if you would help find herbs, potions and poisons.   Just don’t make her blush by talking about a love potion!  “This potion depends on crow feathers – and they don’t like to be plucked!  Now you’ve feathered my nest!” 

Henry the Archeologist thanks you for asking about him, but he’s doing just fine.  Apparently, the unknown threat the Keeper of the Castle sensed hasn’t happened. 

Standing in the Underground Grotto, the chains blocking the door suddenly give way.  Upon entering the Mystery Chamber, you witness someone using rays to destroy the heart of the Wishes Machine and then flee. 

The Keeper of Wishes introduces herself as the Keeper of the Heart of the Mystery Chamber.  “And I am not happy seeing my home ransacked.  You must help me find those rascals!”  The Keeper of Wishes gives you a magic map that “will help you navigate the world and find the villain who desecrated my home.”  The Keeper of Wishes says “I can’t explain my outrage every time I look at what they’ve done to this place!  We must restore it…the sooner, the better.”  A Mystery Chamber full of wishes sounds big, but the Keeper feels so lonely sometimes.  She’s sure repairing the Heart of the Mystery Chamber will take her thoughts off her solitude. 

LEVELS 21-23 cont.

Christian the Bard appears in the City Square.  He welcomes you to this “odd place” and says “he’s been a traveling bard for years.  I’m looking for the Mystery Chamber and could really use your help.  My reward is equal to merit.”  The dream of his life is reaching musical perfection and the Mystery Chamber is his last chance.  “Meanwhile, I’m up to something else.”  What a pity you won’t simply take him there.  Christian wants to express his gratitude with a song, “but I haven’t found the right tune yet; the melody isn’t working and the false notes are driving me crazy.  Maybe I should change something.”  A perfect melody isn’t easy to create; it requires a combination of certain elements and some magic.  Finally, Christian can animate his melody with the sparkle of true emotion, but the sparkle fades so quickly.  Putting too much of his soul into his melodies, Christian begins to feel ill.  Too tired to speak, he needs something to restore his powers.  With your help, he’s getting better with every passing second and vows to be careful with his emotions.  “Sadder but wiser, they say.  You should replenish and protect the magical resources of your body.”  Still trying to compose the perfect melody, Christian wishes he “could find the Mystery Chamber the way you did.”  His obsession and pleas get stronger and more persistent…”I need the Mystery Chamber!  Come on!  You can’t keep it from me forever!  I deserve to know, I promise.”  And “Why are you so reluctant to tell me the whereabouts of the Chamber?  My wish is a good one.  Music can’t harm anyone…right?”  ***Christian the Bard changes into Chris Arwin the Assassin*** 

Chris the Assassin makes a shocking confession “Don’t you recognize your musician friend?  It’s me, and I’m here…to kill the Keeper of Wishes!”  He supposes you’ll try “to keep her alive for a little bit longer.”  He wonders if you’re still unwilling to tell him where the Mystery Chamber is; after all, “You don’t want to make a killer wait…right?”  “By the way, killing the Keeper of Wishes isn’t easy, especially if it’s not your own will…Oh, I shouldn’t have said that.”  Chris is making a plan and urges you to come by later to talk about something…or someone. 

Lord Chamberlain asks “Have you come to blame me for the destruction of the Heart of the Mystery Chamber?  Wait…You didn’t know it was me?  Now you do.”  Dark clouds seem to be gathering over him and things are only getting worse!  This must be a bad omen and the Chamberlain is very concerned about his future.  “I was right about the bad omen.  I’ve lost my source of power!”

LEVELS 21-23 cont.

Arabella knows the Chamberlain sent you and wonders if you’re certain he’s frightened and grieving.  The witch sarcastically comments how nice of you to be helping the Chamberlain, but “I have my own plans for him.”  She’s planning a surprise for the Chamberlain, a nasty one, but it’s for the greater good of everyone.  Your guilty look amuses her; then she confesses she doesn’t plan to kill the Chamberlain.  She has something more fun in mind.  Arabella plans to conduct a small, but pretty complicated ritual that will make the Chamberlain show his true nature.  In a horrible mood, Arabella reminds you that “a sad witch is a bad witch.”  She consults an ancient book for the things needed for the ritual.  She asks you to stay away until the ritual is done.  Not imagining the ritual would be so hard to fulfill, the witch needs you sooner than expected.  Apparently, the Chamberlain has some protection.  But it doesn’t matter anymore.  “It’s done.  I’ve done it all!  Exhausted as I am, I feel so happy!  OK, my friend, you can go back to the Chamberlain…and send my best to him!” 

The Lord Chamberlain begins wailing “Something is wrong…Arabella Scales…It’s she who wants to destroy me!  Nooo!”  ***The Lord Chamberlain transforms into a pudgy, purple vampire bat***

Anabel heard rumors more people are deserting the Chamberlain and his days may be numbered.  Changes are coming; the Chamberlain is losing his mysterious powers and all the members of the Clan Council have turned their backs on him.  Did you know the Witch isn’t exactly who she is pretending to be?  Anabel “wishes people well, but excludes the witch from that list.”  Finding out her plans and revealing all her secrets is a priority.  While the Chamberlain is losing his mysterious powers, Anabel works on strengthening hers.    “There is something in the wind today…Does the plot thicken?”

The Keeper of the Castle says, “Now that Lord Chamberlain has been punished, the castle is more or less safe.  But we still must deal with his negative influence.”  “If you don’t grow as a person, nothing has meaning.”  Time flies, but for the Keeper, it doesn’t exist.  “Humans often ask for immortality, but they have no idea how to cope with it.  Don’t you fear the Chamberlain’s fate?” 

LEVELS 24-25

For the Keeper of Wishes, “cooperation with you is the best thing that’s happened to me these last few days.”  You can’t imagine how important the Heart is or how difficult to be out of your home, your sanctuary, for a long period of time.  She hopes it will be restored soon, and “It’s nice to see there are still hard-working folks in this world.   With you as my assistant, I believe I can fix the Heart.”  And one day, you may need a favor from the Keeper of Wishes and her future reply depends solely on how you help her now.  The Keeper of Wishes is bored to death in her seclusion, what she calls her “spiritual problem”, so you help by finding some interesting and distracting items.  The Keeper of Wishes feels much better and, even though you’re mortal, calls you “friend.”

The Wise Dragon sarcastically asks “What do you think I’m thinking about right now?  A princess?  Because I’m a dragon?  That’s such a stereotype.”  For the Dragon, gold and jewelry never fail to cheer him up.  About life and death, the Dragon says “You know, sometimes someone is considered dead, but yet they appear to be alive.”  The Wise Dragon admits to missing your Uncle and how wonderful it would be to see him again. 

Henry the Archeologist is thinking about opening a store of relics and found a nice hut he could use, but isn’t sure about its location.  “The launch will be incredible!  Now, I need a pretty sales assistant.”  “How sweet is the chime of the first coins earned!”  Henry’s in a bad mood after having a nightmare that he was a troll again with two she-trolls fighting over him.  Henry’s tired and his business has failed.  “Maybe I’m not really a businessman.”  Once the last two orders are delivered, he plans to quit.  Those orders are for that horrible Witch, who has threatened Henry.  Henry begs you to hurry so the Witch doesn’t have any excuse to turn him back into a troll.  “Finally, the business is closed, the Witch is pleased and I am still human!”  (In Level 14 right after the Troll transforms into human Henry, he says the Chamberlain cursed him.  Did the Chamberlain and Arabella act together?)  Henry has done some detective work and feels the circumstances of your Uncle’s death are unclear and he wants to get to the bottom of the case.  “The facts are clear, despite my lack of detective skills.  Your Uncle’s body was never found – isn’t that interesting?”  He thinks your Uncle had something to do with the Dragon from the Forbidden Tower.

Skull Pete has a plan that would make him rich and wants to know if you want to go halves with him.  Now Pete can afford an entire fleet but his top priority is repairing his ship.  Pete says “Yo-ho-ho!  Being human has never been better!  I should start thinking about securing my mortal life.”  You decline tasting an “amazing Armagnac” that fell into Pete’s hands, to which Pete replies “OK, then…more for me.”   Skull Pete appears sober and all-consumed with repairing his ship.  You help him fix the wheel, the most important part of the ship, but “Thunderation and an iron maiden!  The wheel broke again!”  Pete hopes the patch will survive at least one sail.  “You would make a good sailor!”

LEVELS 24-25 cont.

The Werewolf Knight is tormented by thoughts of Anabel and muses how fate enjoys a joke.  “The heart wants what it wants.”  According to the Knight “someone is going to drag my good name through the mud” and, as a matter of honor, you must help.  Anabel is going on a little trip but the Knight can’t be with her.  “Only the light of my love…and some specific items…can protect her from harm.”  The Knight wonders if you’ve heard the latest news about a relic in his family.  “Have you heard?  They are going to steal the family shield, the icon of the Castle!  I invoke your aid!”  He describes your deed as “admirable” and “you should be proud of yourself.”  The Werewolf Knight has a surprise, “I want to propose to Anabel, the love of my life, but I have to prepare for it.”  His love for Anabel cannot be contained but there is so much to do before he can propose.  “Be still, my breathless heart!”  He can’t think straight with all the butterflies in his stomach and is afraid of losing his nerve.  The Knight never thought he’d be so nervous; his heart is pounding and he can’t wait any longer!  “Why can’t I just simply pop the question?”  The engagement ring is ready and he can’t keep his beloved waiting any longer.  “Wish me luck.”  ***Werewolf Knight disappears from the Castle Entry and reappears as the Iron Knight with Anabel at the Castle Gates***

Salty is delighted by the Dragon’s promise he would soon see dear Valeria.

The Wise Dragon has a secret that he hopes will prove to be a pleasant surprise.  “Go to the Throne Hall.  I feel there’s a stranger there.” 

A stranger, wearing a long coat with a hood covering his face, appears in Throne Hall.  “I’m so glad to finally meet the person I’ve heard so much about.  And I hope you’re equally pleased to meet…your Uncle Vesnik!”

Count Leonard Vesnik, your Uncle, is very happy to see you.  “It is terrible to see my castle in such a bad condition.”  But it is such a pleasure for an “old man to finally get to the castle renovations!”  And to also repair the Chamber’s Heart.  Although they say repairs never stop, it’s nice to be home and putting everything in order.  Age is taking its toll, however, and your Uncle is happy for all your help.  The castle is cozier but one important room is completely destroyed and he’d like to fix it as soon as possible.  This is his daughter’s room, and it’s very important to him to keep this room in order.  Distracted from the sadness, your Uncle says “I was checking my heirlooms and it turned out something was missing.  My collection is nothing without it.”  Any respectful castle owner should have symbols of power and somehow his symbols are lost somewhere.  His mind still on lost things, Uncle Vesnik says “I missed so many important events, in older days my wife knew everything…I miss her so much!”  Family is sacred, and it feels so empty here now.  The place is nothing without your family to share it.  He’s impressed you found the Mystery Chamber but admits to making a critical mistake.  “I want to figure out where I went wrong in my search.”