GAME | STRATEGY | LORE | MEDIA
Setsuna
‘Truth-Piercing Eye’
Conversations ^
Exploration ^
[When entering Tenmai]
“Tenmai, ‘tis strange for a vagrant to call a place home, but certainly… there is naught but memories cherished, of warmth and fondness, to be found when I look upon these lands. Many wayward years of youth, of vigour and ignorance… many friends, many memories and dreams, scattered to the winds.”
[When looking up at Hinanhoro]
Setsuna - “The World Tree, ‘tis a wondrous sight, no?”
Player - “It was just a seed that the Elves whispered about in my time. It’s strange, to think I’m just as old as that tree.”
Setsuna - “Our eternal guardian, standing tall as it watches over our history, sheltering us from tragedy… even at the cost of its own life.”
Player - “I heard about that. It was one of the first casualties when the Seven Legions came back to this world, wasn’t it?”
Setsuna - “Aye. I was there to see it burn. Many lives were lost that day, many stories ended, many bonds broken.”
Player - “But still, it rose again, coming back miraculously from the brink of death to protect the weary travellers who came to it for shelter.”
Setsuna - “Not all of us were so fortunate to return. For many, ‘tis a curse.”
Player - “Is that what it’s like for you?”
Setsuna - “...”
[When visiting Shugokage]
Setsuna - “Hm… It has been a long time since I have set foot in the capital. Ah, my stomach burns with familiar hunger. I wonder… are the restaurants from those days still serving? Boy in White, we depart at once. Let us test whether this land’s cuisine has stood the test of time.”
Player - “Just don’t bankrupt us again, okay?”
[When offering prayer to Hinanhoro]
“O Eternal Hinanhoro, bless thy lonely soul with thy unaging shelter. Pray tell, and answer to me. O Storied Hinanhoro, living through cataclysms and disasters, watching as kingdoms rise and fall and stories crumble into the sands of time… O Weary Guardian, who saw the Disappearing of Arden, whose leaves burned to ash, yet blooms still in spring… how can this lowly traveller move beyond the past? Will those memories of our time haunt me forever, until Heaven is mine to claim? Is the only way to bloom anew in spring to forget the tragedies of the past, to leave behind those painful, cherished times?”
[When offering respects to the Monument of Ash]
Setsuna - “Come, Boy in White. Offer thy respects to the fallen.”
Setsuna - “…”
Player - “Did you know some of these names?”
Setsuna - “A few. Most of them passing strangers, acquaintances or classmates. I am but a lone wanderer, an ephemeral stranger passing through the world. I have no time to make such fleeting connections. My bonds are few, but precious.”
Player - “Then why do you look so sad? If you don’t know any of these people, is it just out of respect for the dead?”
Setsuna - “I have lost. Not here, in Tenmai, under Blessed Hinanhoro’s shelter, but beyond, where even its all-embracing leaves cannot reach.”
[When visiting Nindo]
Player - “Luna told me about this place. This was your alma mater, no?”
Setsuna - “Aye.”
Player - “She doesn’t like to talk about it. I hear nothing but good things about it from the others, though. But maybe that’s just bias because I hear they make students swear Oaths to the Orders.”
Setsuna - “‘Tis a fine establishment. Certainly, it raises the best talent on the continent.”
Player - “They put you all into teams, right? Who were you grouped with? Anyone we’ve worked with before?”
Setsuna - “…”
Player - “You too, huh? That’s the same reaction Luna has.”
[When climbing Yrd]
Player - “Wow… a real beautiful place, huh?”
Setsuna - “Indeed. ‘Tis but a fraction of the beauty of these mountains.”
Player - “You been here before? Well, I guess you are a traveller, and this is just outside Tenmai. Makes sense.”
Setsuna - “Follow me. I know a quicker way to the peak of this wellspring.”
[When looking at Vertandhi]
Player - “Oh, this is Vertandhi, right? I heard about it from Luna, before. Said she used to live here. You ever climb up this mountain?”
Setsuna - “Many times.”
Player - “Hm? Wow, you ever meet Luna while you were there? You both went to Nindo, she lived here. You two seem a bit familiar with each other, was this how you met?”
Setsuna - “Let us not linger on those memories. Ask Luna about her childhood, if you must. It is her tale to share.”
[When passing Arden Crater]
Player - “I heard there used to be a massive shining city here, more advanced than anywhere else on the planet, even the Citadel.”
Setsuna - “Indeed. It was a sight to behold.”
Player - “Wish I could have been there to see it. Shame that the Seven Legions destroyed it.”
Setsuna - “…”
Player - “Something wrong?”
Setsuna - “Let us pass quickly. ‘Tis a cursed place. Do not linger, lest the mad wraiths of Arden’s residents haunt your dreams from beyond.”
Office v
Gamemode-Specific v
Tea Time ^
[Conversation 2 - History with Luna]
Setsuna - “Hm? This recipe… is this Luna’s blend?”
Player - “You recognise it?”
Setsuna - “How nostalgic.”
Player - “So you do know Luna. You went to Nindo with her, even had tea with her before.”
Setsuna - “I suppose, in a sense, that is correct.”
Player - “What does that mean?”
Setsuna - “It was not tea with her. Luna just happened to be there. This recipe belonged to someone else. Luna simply learnt it.”
Player - “A mutual acquaintance? Someone on your team? Her team? What were they like? Think they’d be up to be hired? Could always use a few more hands around the office.”
Setsuna - “Nay. A casualty at Arden. A victim of the Legions’ return.”
Player - “Oh… were they important to you? What’s their relationship to Luna?”
Setsuna - “A tale for another time. Let that young girl’s wounds heal. Do not salt them, Boy in White.”
Player - “What about your wounds? Are they being salted too?”
Setsuna - “…”
[Conversation 7 - About Nindo]
Player - “Other elves and Nindo students said you were terrifying at Nindo.”
Setsuna - “Of course. ‘Tis natural for all others to cower before my divine swordsmanship.”
Player - “Yeah, don’t I know it. Glad I don’t have to fight or train against you. Say, you fought in teams, right? Like we do now at [Company Name]. What was that like?”
Setsuna - “I was the centre of our formation. My team’s job was to give me space, buy me enough time for me to unleash my Four Blades, and end the fight in one fell swoop.”
Player - “Wow. Sounds like you put the team on your back, huh?”
Setsuna - “Nay. I was but a child. Despite my talent, I could not bear that burden by myself. ‘Twas only due to my team’s efforts that I was given a chance at victory, at growth and enlightenment. Without their aid, their companionship, those cherished moments of friendship and affirmation, I would be but a shadow of my current self.”
Player - “Yeah, seems like a good place. Good people, too. There’s Luna, obviously, but I’ve talked to your teammates, too. Hayate, Kagura. You still keep in touch with them?”
Setsuna - “We swore our Oaths together, to always serve as Knights of Calybcor along side each other. They shall always be my precious friends. I shall charge under Hayate’s command when the clarion calls and Tenmai must charge once more, and it is an honour to be witness to Kagura’s dances at every spring and autumn festival.”
Player - “You elves really have a strong sense of kinship and national pride, huh? Who was the fourth person on your team? Another elf?”
Setsuna - “A healer. A human healer.”
Player - “What were they like?”
Setsuna - “Strange for their kind. Not a human, I mean, but a ‘witch’. Not often do you find those practiced in healing magic not calling themselves either doctors, priests or simply healers. It takes a strange, unique kind of heart to wear the title of witch proudly, especially as one that heals.”
Player - “Can’t picture it in my head, honestly. A healing witch, I mean. I just think of those scary, cackling hags in Dominion and Truth. Even Luna’s a bit strange to think of as a ‘witch’, compared to everyone I saw in our trip to the Citadel.”
Setsuna - “She was quite unlike anyone else. The noblest soul, and gentlest heart I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. I was blessed to be a passing stranger on her path through life. It is my most cherished honour to have been called a friend of hers. I’m not quite certain if I was ever as such for her, but I am glad to have been able to call her my ‘best friend’.”
Player - “Is she the person you were talking about before? The person you lost at Arden? Is she the one you’re praying for whenever we visit the Monument of Ash?”
Setsuna - “…’Tis a complicated story. Let me not recount it over this nostalgic cup of tea. Let us simply enjoy this refreshment and empty our thoughts, before we resume our endless battle against the Legions.”
Player - “Does she have a name? I’ll offer my respects next time we pray at the Monument.”
Setsuna - “I thank thee for thy offer, but alas, I shall turn it down. Let that memory stay with those who were there at Arden. The only thing those of us living in the present can do is fight in their memory.”
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
GAME | STRATEGY | LORE | MEDIA
Wadatsumi Hayate
‘Wadatsumi’s First’
Conversations ^
Exploration ^
[When looking up at Hinanhoro]
“Ah, there you are, you big ol’ brute. Still alive and kicking, huh? Even after everything. Don’t worry, Hinanhoro. You can take a rest whenever you feel like it, you old thing. We’re not children anymore, we can handle ourselves now. Seven Legions are a tough foe, don't have to keep breaking your bones protecting us from them forever. It's time for us to protect you instead.”
[When visiting Shugokage]
“Yosh! Home! Alright, sweet! C’mon, let me show you around! I know all the good spots in town. You ever taken a ride down the canals on a starlit night? Beautiful sight, watching the stars underneath Hinanhoro’s shade. Great scenery for dinner with friends, too! Wadatsumi Manor isn’t far from here, either. Aw, man… great to be back.”
[When visiting Nindo]
“Ah, that brings back memories. Taking tests, fighting monsters, sleeping in dorms, making friends. Good times, good times… I’d do anything to get those days back. I wonder how Setsuna and Kagura are doing right now. Think they’d be up to get barbecue, like we used to?”
[When offering prayer to Hinanhoro]
“You still kicking, Hinanhoro? Don’t worry too much about me! This child isn’t one you need to constantly be anxious over! I’m big and strong now, I’m flying your banner mighty tall and proud. Tenmai’s ready to take on the Seven Legions any day now! We’ll get back at the Seventh Legion and avenge you in your place, old man! Just you listen from here for the clarion call, and when you hear it, know that we’ll be victorious!”
[When passing Arden Crater]
Hayate - *Sigh*
Player - “Everything good?”
Hayate - “Yeah, just… remembering Arden.”
Player - “You been there while it was still standing? Didn’t expect that from an elf.”
Hayate - “Yeah, all the time! Was a sweet place, used to go there during every school break with the rest of the team when Dad didn’t keep me in the manor for Duke stuff. Unlike any other place on Manusyara, really. When I was a kid, I used to dream of getting my Registration done there and attending every Evaluation. Shame that never came to pass. Never got to take her on that date either.”
Player - “Date?”
Hayate - “Er, well… we don’t need to talk about that. Y’know… embarrassing teenage crushes. Happens to all of us! Just ignore what I said, like really. It wouldn’t have worked out anyways.”
Player - “I wonder what kind of beauty caught the eye of Duke Wadatsumi’s first son?”
Hayate - “Aw, man… she was the prettiest girl at scho- hey, wait, no, you’re not getting me to talk about this! Let’s just forget about this, okay!? And don’t tell Luna I said any of this!”
Player - “What does Luna have to do with your crush?”
[When at Yadorinami, looking at the Infinite Dark]
Hayate - “Yup, that’s the Infinite Dark, alright.”
Player - “Got any history with it?”
Hayate - “Nah, not personally. Know a lot of folks who do, though. Kagura’s family is related to Lord Tsukuyomi, for one. Sometimes a couple of the Expedition would be guest lecturers or visitors at Nindo. Oh, and of course, she was the dau-! Uh, woops, you didn’t hear anything, okay?”
Player - “Who was who’s daughter?”
Hayate - “I said you didn’t hear anything!”
Player - “This have to do with your crush?”
Hayate - “Shh! Don’t speak too loudly.”
Office ^
[Upon entering]
“Oh, wow, look at this place! This decor is nostalgic. Reminds me of summer vacation. Oh, hey, you even got this tea set! Man, that brings back memories… huh, Luna, you good? You’re getting very red, do you need to go to a healer?”
[Upon being assigned deskwork]
“So this is what you’ve been doing, Luna! Alright, not the best at paperwork, but I know my stuff as future Duke Wadatsumi. What do you need me to do!? I’ll get it done in a jiffy! Huh, wait, what, you made a mistake? I don’t need to do anything? What are you talking about? Here, wait, let me take a few of those documents off your han- Luna, Luna! Are you okay!? Why are you running away!?”
[Idle Conversation 1]
“Sitting at a desk, doing paperwork like they're tests and exams, lounging around with friends, brings back memories, huh? Nice to have Dad off my back about responsibilities and all that crap again, thanks for inviting me over, [Player Name].”
[Idle Conversation 4]
“Ugh, finally, a break from Mother yapping my ear off about finding fiancees and girlfriends and wives and stuff. I don’t get what the big rush is. We’re elves, we have a whole lifetime ahead of us! No need to rush it along, made that mistake once already… hm, Luna, you want to take a look at my potential fiancee profiles? Uh, not sure what you want to do with them, but they’re on me somewhere, hold on a sec.”
[Special Dialogue 3 - when Kagura is present, but Setsuna is not]
Hayate - “Hey, look, we’re at the same Company, cuz, it’s like we’re at school again, isn’t it? Living under the same roof, staring at pieces of paper, running out of ink, drinking that tea. Just missing Setsuna, and the whole gang will be reunited.”
Kagura - “Please do not call me ‘cuz’. Somehow, I prefer ‘Kags’.”
Hayate - “Alright, sure thing, Kags!”
Kagura - “Ugh, never mind. Coming here was a mistake. Why did I accept that contract, again?”
[Special Dialogue 5 - when Setsuna is present]
Hayate - “Doesn’t this bring back memories, drinking this tea?”
Setsuna - “Indeed.”
Hayate - “…Just doesn’t feel the same when it’s the three of us, huh?”
Setsuna - “…”
Hayate - “Cheers.”
Setsuna - “Cheers.”
Gamemode-Specific v
Tea Time ^
[Conversation 4 - About Luna]
Hayate - “Psst, hey, [Player Name].”
Player - “Something wrong?”
Hayate - “Wanna ask you something.”
Player - “Shoot.”
Hayate - “Does Luna act… strange around you?”
Player - “I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”
Hayate - “She’s always really on her nerves when I’m around. Can’t look me in the eyes, stutters, freaks out about every little thing all the time… she’s not usually like that, is she?”
Player - “No, she’s not.”
Hayate - “Yeah, strange, isn’t it? I know she’s always been a bit of a shy person, heard a lot about her from mutual connections even before we actually met for the first time, but she always seems to be a bit different from how they described her when it comes to me, though. Wonder what that’s about, cute kid otherwise.”
Player - “You’re helpless.”
Hayate -”Why does everyone keep saying that!? Hinanhoro… it was like this when it came to her too… ah, crap! Maybe that’s what this is about!?”
Player - “Hm?”
Hayate - “Err, you know, her!”
Player - “Your mysterious crush?”
Hayate - “Don’t say it out loud while Luna might still be around! But yeah. Luna was always rather close with her. Maybe she’s still resentful over our friendship?”
Player - “Wow. You’re dense.”
Hayate - “Why is everyone like this!?”
[Conversation 5 - About Setsuna]
Player - “You and Setsuna were on the same team, right?”
Hayate - “Haha, yeah! Real scary girl. Boy, was I lucky to be matched up with her. She was definitely the greatest swordswoman to ever attend Nindo. Sucked to be anyone who had to spar against her.”
Player - “Was she any different as a teenager?”
Hayate - “A lot more petty, arrogant and childish! Ah, but, don’t tell her I said that, she’ll kick my ass if she hears.”
Player - “I assume that if you can speak of her like that, you were all good friends in your team?”
Hayate - “The best! Our squad was as close-knit as could be! We were one of the few teams to take the whole Oath tradition super seriously! The four of us swore to be comrades until the end, through life and death, through heaven and hell. I swore to lead all of us into battle with my banner, and Setsuna swore back that she would always be honoured to answer my call. We were sworn friends, we would always be bound by our sacred Oaths as Knights Templar. It’s strange, looking back on it, huh?”
Player - “What do you mean?”
Hayate - “It was just a childish promise of friendship and eternal camaraderie we made. Never thought that one day, the Seven Legions would actually rise again, and we would actually have to fight as Knights of Calybcor against demonic forces, let alone be doing so for the sake of avenging the Hinanhoro’s burning… it was a lot more appealing as a childish dream, honestly. Real thing’s pretty scary, huh?”
Player - “It never occurred to me that it might be strange to you. For you, it’s been thousands of years since the Seven Legions have marched upon Manusyara, but for me… it’s been the only thing I’ve ever known.”
Hayate - “Yeah, but I’m glad that out of everyone, it’s Setsuna who has my back. Eventually, the time will come for the clarion call. The armies of Tenmai will have to stand against the Seven Legions once again, and I will have to lead our charge at the very front. Having her prodigal sword by my side, I know our victory is certain.”
Player - “A terrifying genius, isn’t she?”
Hayate - “Yeah. I don’t know when it will be, but eventually, we will have to fulfil our Oaths, and stand by each other’s side… I don’t know whether to dread that day or to look forward to it. A lot will be riding on our shoulders when that clarion sounds… the dreams and hopes of our entire nation, all our anger and sorrow, all that burning vengeance and want for retribution, in honour of all those we’ve lost along the way…”
Player - “To hell with the Seventh Legion, huh?”
Hayate - “Yeah, to hell with the Seventh Legion! Tenmai shall not fall a second time! Those wretched fiends will never burn another one of Hinanhoro’s sacred leaves!”
GAME | STRATEGY | LORE | MEDIA
Luna Symphonia
‘The Delver Witch’
Conversations ^
Exploration ^
[When climbing Vertandhi]
Player - “Something wrong, Luna? You seem distracted.”
Luna - “It’s nothing. Just… I used to live here. Brings back memories.”
Player - “Really, on this mountain? Seems real far from civilization, the closest city is… what, Shugokage?”
Luna - “It wasn’t, not back then. Arden was still around in my childhood.”
Player - “Oh, right. Sorry.”
Luna - “Don’t be. I can’t blame you. You’ve never seen it.”
Player - “Right, but, well… even from here, I can see the crater.”
Luna - “…”
Player - “Say, where’d you live on this mountain, anyways? Terrain seems rather treacherous, food seems rough as well.”
Luna - “All the way up the top of the mountain, right where the trees end.”
Player - “All the way up there!? That has to be like… two days away, no? How the hell did you find food when you were younger?”
Luna - “I wouldn’t know. I didn’t cook for myself. I was always cared for as a child. I was spoiled rotten.”
Player - “O-Oh, right, sorry… your family, they’re-… they’re gone, aren’t they?”
Luna - “…”
Player - “…”
Luna - “Come. I know a way up. The house is probably still around. If it's still standing, I’ll show you around.”
[When passing Arden Crater]
“Sister, Mother… I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry. I promise… I’ll pay everything back one day. I’ll do everything I can to destroy the Seventh Legion.”
[When looking at Yrd]
“Sister… are you doing well, today? I’m doing fine. I’m sorry I couldn’t ever say thank you.”
[When entering the Citadel of Magi]
Luna - “Ugh.”
Player - “Hm?”
Luna - “It’s nothing, just… I’m reminded of when I was a kid. I was really stupid back then.”
Player - “Really? Hard to imagine that.”
Luna - “No, not like that. I-I’ve always been book-smart, it’s just… at one point, I used to dream of being accepted into the Citadel. What an awful dream to have, honestly.”
Player - “Why so?”
Luna - “Got really in my head about how smart I was, about what being a ‘witch’ meant. It almost cost me a lot. I almost forgot what was important.”
Player - “And what’s that?”
Luna - “A witch is not someone who is accepted into the Citadel. The Citadel is just one way to be recognised as a witch. A witch is just someone who seeks out knowledge to overturn the order of the world, someone who dreams of lofty ambitions and stops at nothing to realise them. It has nothing to do with certificates, or papers, or memberships, or what titles others give to you.”
Player - “Sounds like you got good role models.”
Luna - “…The best.”
Gamemode-Specific v
Tea Time ^
[Conversation 1 - About Tea]
Luna - “Here you go.”
Player - “Hm? What’s this?”
Luna - “Don’t tell me they didn’t have tea during your time…”
Player - “Oh, no, I get that it’s tea, just… what’s this whole thing about?”
Luna - “Well, it’s good to just relax and have a chat time-to-time. Tea’s a good way to relax.”
Player - “I never took you as one for tea. You seem like you’d always be stuck in books too much to ever care about something so fancy.”
Luna - “I didn’t when I was younger. But, well, when you grow older, you grow appreciative for the things you used to have. All those memories and moments you spent with your friends and family… you stop taking them for granted. You start wishing you could live through those peaceful days forever.”
Player - “Before the Seven Legions returned, huh?”
Luna - “…Before the Seven Legions returned.”
Player - “It’s good tea.”
Luna - “Thanks. That means a lot to me.”
Player - “…”
Luna - “I used to drink it all the time with my family… something like this, anyways. I never got the recipe from them. I’ve just been trying my best to recreate it from memory. It’s the only way I can remember them.”
Player - “Thanks for sharing it with me.”
Luna - “If you ever need to take a break from it all, just relax and forget about everything going on outside, all the fighting and hardship… just spend time with friends, remember old memories, have a good time together, learn something about your comrades… just have some of this tea. It would be my pleasure to serve it.”
Player - “I’ll be sure to take you up on your offer.”
