Philip de Beauvais's dialogue

5 1 1 0 1 0 A 0 0 DO NOT DISPLAY 1 1 0 Wait. Wait. Please don't be alarmed. I just want to speak to you a moment. I could be of great service. Ph1_A 0 0 1 7 1 1A 0 5 0 1 1 0,7,1,1,0 0 Who are you? 1 1 0 I am Philip. (cynical) One of the twelve poor fools burdened with the honour of guarding the oh so holy grail. We revered it, but over the decades I have seen it destroy the love and fellowship we once had. The accursed thing is of no God this side of Tartarus. I doubt that Christ ever even saw this cup. So you see I want you to rid us of it. Please. Ph1A_1 0 0 0 50 1 0,7,1,0,0 0 OK. I'm listening. 1 1 0 I am Philip. (cynical) One of the twelve poor fools burdened with the honour of guarding the oh so holy grail. We revered it, but over the decades I have seen it destroy the love and fellowship we once had. The accursed thing is of no God this side of Tartarus. I doubt that Christ ever even saw this cup. So you see I want you to rid us of it. Please. Ph1A_50 0 0 0 51 0 2 0,7,1,0,0 0,7,1,1,0 So how can you help me? 1 1 0 Well, it's not just me you see. My friend Edgar, one of the last sane knights, and myself recognise this 'test' as a manifestation of the madness of our former leader Tobias. I've been watching you and you seem to be effective. When you see Edgar, tell him you've come about the chest. (BREAK) I'm sorry. I cannot talk further. I have business to attend to. Goodbye for now. Ph1A_51 0 1 0 52 0 2 0,7,1,0,0 0,7,1,1,0 How has the grail affected the guardians like this? 1 1 0 The weight of it can affect the mind. Some fifty years ago, a number of us became dissatisfied with the ravings of our former leader Tobias De Treece and a faction of knights split apart from him. He waited his time and ruthlessly destroyed us. If you meet him do not listen to the lies he will tell you about that time. About myself and Edgar. The last remnants of that faction. The last that are sane. Ph1A_52 0 0 0 53 0 1 5,345 Do you know who Cobweb is? 1 1 0 No. I suspect Cobweb may even be an invention of Tobias, our former leader. A device to sow the seeds of mistrust amongst those knights no longer loyal to him. Ph1A_53 0 0 0 2A 0 8 0 1 1 0,7,0,0,0 0 Who are you. And what have you got there? 1 1 0 I am Philip. (cynical) One of the twelve poor fools burdened with the honour of guarding the oh so holy grail. (BREAK) As to what I have here, what business is that of yours? Ph2A_1 0 0 0 70 2 0,7,2,2,0 0,7,2,3,0 1 0,7,2,0,0 Your pig ignorance is hardly worthy of a guardian of the grail. 1 1 0 Forgive my bitterness stranger, but I have seen that bauble of Tartarus destroy more than one mind. I've watched my fellow guardians, once good men of God slaughter each other in madness. Ph2A_70 0 0 0 71 2 0,7,2,1,0 0,7,2,3,0 1 0,7,2,0,0 I may make it my business if I decide to blow your head off and take it. 1 1 0 Fool! Ph2A_71 0 1 0 72 2 0,7,2,1,0 0,7,2,2,0 1 0,7,2,0,0 I'm sorry. I didn't mean any offence. Just curious. 1 1 0 As it was so wisely stated in the apocrypha 'Be not curious in unnecessary matters: For more things are shewed unto thee than men understand.' Ph2A_72 0 1 0 73 0 1 0,7,2,1,0 That's OK. Do you think you could answer a few questions for me? 1 1 0 Very well. I have no pressing business. Ph2A_73 0 0 1 7 3 74 0 1 0,7,2,1,0 OK. Now why don't you let me have a look at that thing you've got there? 1 1 0 I do not trust your greedy mien stranger. This is curious and has no value to me. But I will speak with you no further. Neither will I give it you. Ph2A_74 0 1 0 75 0 1 0,7,1,2,0 Hello again Philip. 1 1 0 Greetings to you friend. Have you spoken to Edgar? Ph2A_75 0 0 1 7 4 999 0 1 0,7,2,0,0 I have to keep ahead of my competition. I don't have time to talk further. 1 1 0 Very well. Ph2A_999 0 1 0 2B 0 34 0 101 0 0 What can you tell me of Sir Guy? 1 1 0 He was something of a fool. His faith became more blindly solid, the more the rest of us became affected by the presence of the grail. Eventually, he believed himself to be the only one left not serving daemons. Ph2B_101 0 0 0 102 3 0,1,3,1,0 0,9,4,0,0 0,5,5,1,0 1 5,434 Do you know anything about alchemical experiments that were conducted in the temple? 2 1 1 0,7,2,0,0 The Templars were very interested in unlocking the secrets of grailstone, but the experiments went horribly wrong very quickly. Ph2B_102 0 0 0 2 0 I have no idea. Ph2B102B 0 0 0 11 0 0 What can you tell me about this place? 2 1 1 0,7,2,0,0 I think I trust you friend. You seem of good character. So, I will give you a little help. Though I risk myself in doing so. See the corpse there. He was a tool of Mallik's. The substance covering him will kill you if you approach him too closely. You need the key he has however, to proceed. How you get it, I don't know. Ph2B_11 0 0 0 2 0 I think perhaps I'd best let you find out for yourself. If our glorious leader Tobias were to discover I'd said anything to damage his precious test, he would undoubtedly have me eviscerated before the grail. Ph2B_11B 0 0 0 12 0 0 What can you tell me about grailstone? 1 1 0 Grailstone, as the name suggests, is the magickal material from which the grail is fashioned. The other knights believe it fell from the Lord on high. I, however, consider it to have been sweated up through the caves from Hell. Ph2B_12 0 0 0 13 0 5 5,312 5,446 0,8,1,18,0 0,3,4,17,0 0,9,4,12,0 What can you tell me about Geffrye? 1 1 0 Geffrye. I don't trust him. He was the architect of Aeternis. He seems unaltered by the long years in the light of Grailstone. (BREAK) By this very token, I suspect him. Noone can live down here without that evil substance corrupting or torturing them in some way. Ph2B_13 0 0 0 15 0 0 There are dangerous animals down here. What can you tell me about them? 1 1 0 Indeed. And there are more and worse you have not yet encountered. As for the ones in these parts, if you have not already discovered it, they can change their colour to seem invisible. And they are possessed of an almost human intelligence. Ph2B_15 0 0 0 16 0 0 How many others like me have you seen down here? 1 1 0 I have seen at least three like you. But there is no telling how many have been drawn here. Ph2B_16 0 0 0 162 2 0,7,1,4,0 5,345 3 0,8,1,8,0 0,8,1,10,0 0,8,1,17,0 Apparently there is a spy amongst the knights. What do you know about this? 1 1 0 There have always been whispers of this, but I have no idea of who it might be. Ph2B_162 0 0 0 19 3 5,445 0,7,3,11,0 5,326 1 5,316 I found a parchment that mentioned the Templar's plans to infiltrate the Scottish Freemasons. Did they succeed? 1 1 0 The brothers managed quite well. Moneys made the order a significant power for some time and they still wield a great deal of influence. (BREAK) Now, only the highest and most trusted members of their lodges know about Aeternis and even they have no idea of the full story. Ph2B_19 0 0 0 20 2 0,10,1,8,0 0,1,3,9,0 1 0,6,0,10,0 I saw what I think was a ghost by an old well. 1 1 0 It's strange, but sometimes when a body is damaged beyond even the grailstone's ability to heal, the soul of the person lingers and manifests as a spirit. A further torment of this place. Watch your step friend. The ghost by the well has been here for centuries more than any one of we knights. Ph2B_20 0 0 0 22 0 1 6,70 There's some kind of creature in the waters here. I've never seen anything like it. What was it? 1 1 0 I have no idea. We all fear it. Ph2B_22 0 0 0 24 3 5,316 5,445 0,7,3,8,0 1 5,447 I read something in a parchment I found about 'brothers above ground.' Can you tell me anything about this? 1 1 0 Yes, this refers to the Scottish Freemasons. When the Templar order fell, Templar riches were used to infiltrate this organisation. The heads of their society know of Aeternis, but not in any great detail. Ph2B_24 0 0 0 25 0 0 What can you tell me about the test? 2 1 1 0,7,2,0,0 Yes. The test is the means by which Tobias will quite happily allow the grail out of his keeping. Pass it and you'll be able to walk out holding it aloft. Ph2B_25 0 0 0 2 0 I think perhaps it would be better if I were to remain silent on that subject. In the rock of the temple every crack and fissure could be a secret ear. Ph2B_25B 0 0 0 26 1 0,9,4,12,0 0 Tell me about the guardians. 1 1 0 We were the best of our kind. The finest fighting men of Christendom. But even we twelve, dedicated as we were, fell under the evil influence of the grailstone and the grail. Some fifty years ago, a number of us became dissatisfied with the ravings of our former leader Tobias and a faction of knights split apart from him. He waited his time and ruthlessly destroyed us. If you meet him do not listen to the lies he will tell you about that time. About myself and Edgar. The last remnants of that faction. The last that are halfway sane. Ph2B_26 0 0 0 27 0 0 Can you help me get to the grail? 1 1 0 I would like to be of assistance friend. But if I were to help you in this, it would undoubtedly cost me my life. I am nervous of even speaking to you at all. Ph2B_27 0 0 0 37 0 5 3,10 0,7,3,32,0 0,4,2,14,0 0,3,4,7,0 0,3,4,17,0 What can you tell me about Tallum? 1 1 0 He is insane and dangerous. Avoid him if you can. Ph2B_37 0 0 0 39 4 0,7,3,16,0 0,1,3,16,0 0,5,5,16,0 0,9,4,13,0 1 6,9 The well's very ancient. It is much older than Aeternis. Do you know who may have built it? 1 1 0 It was built by the Byzantines. They were a vicious, merciless people that had a dwelling built here nearly four thousand years ago. Little of it is accessible now. Ph2B_39 0 0 0 41 1 0,6,1,20,0 1 0,7,3,9,0 Do you know what happened to the ghost's lover Oisin? 2 1 1 0,7,2,0,0 That depends on how long he stayed down here. More than a few years and he will have aged and died on leaving the temple. Ph2B_41 0 0 0 2 0 I have no idea. Ph2B_41B 0 0 0 45 0 1 0,6,1,21,0 I've heard mention of deeper realms. Wondrous places, they were described as. 1 1 0 Wondrous, but also dangerous. Ph2B_45 0 0 0 46 2 0,1,3,19,0 0,7,3,19,0 1 0,6,1,23,0 What do you know about a Sasha? 1 1 0 She was the sister of the ghost Niamh. Though what happened to her I cannot say. Probably eaten by beasts. Ph2B_46 0 0 0 48 2 0,5,5,20,0 0,3,4,24,0 3 5,353 5,445 5,346 Who is Baphomet? 2 1 1 0,7,2,0,0 Baphomet is another manifestation of Tobias' vanity. Under this name he spoke to the outside world and passed into legend. Ph2B_48 0 0 0 2 0 You'd best ask Tobias about that. Ph2B_48B 0 0 0 53 1 0,7,1,4,0 7 5,345 0,10,1,26,0 0,8,1,9,0 0,10,1,26,0 0,8,1,9,0 0,5,5,7,0 0,9,4,5,0 Do you know who Cobweb is? 1 1 0 No. I am not. I suspect Cobweb may even be an invention of Tobias, our former leader. A device to sow the seeds of mistrust amongst those knights no longer loyal to him. Ph2B_53 0 0 0 54 0 0 Tell me more of your own history Philip. 1 1 0 Me? I am a knight of small consequence. At least that is how I was regarded by all the others when we entered this place. But since I have outlived most of them, perhaps I am a little more wily than they give me credit for. Ph2B_54 0 0 0 60 0 3 0,5,1,0,0 0,5,4,0,0 5,346 Lurka's an odd little creature. What do you know about him? 1 1 0 He is as slippery as a slug that refuses to be scraped from the boot. I have never trusted him. And I have no understanding as to why Tobias does. Ph2B_60 0 0 0 61 1 0,1,7,0,0 3 0,9,0,2,0 0,9,0,0,0 0,1,2,4,1 I've heard there's grailstone hidden in the docks. Do you know where? 1 1 0 You should talk to Edgar about it. Ph2B_61 0 0 0 65 0 3 5,447 5,345 0,8,1,15,0 What can you tell me about the Prieure? 1 1 0 They were the sister order to the Templars. I really know virtually nothing about them. Ph2B_65 0 0 0 66 3 0,9,4,21,0 0,5,5,25,0 0,1,3,25,0 1 5,322 Do you know if the pasture cavern is still accessible? 1 1 0 No. That cave was beautiful, but the walls fell in long ago. Ph2B_66 0 0 0 67 0 5 5,323 5,330 0,7,3,2,0 0,1,3,30,0 0,5,5,30,0 What can you tell me about Malik? 1 1 0 He was a genius. But an insane one. When eventually Tobias flooded his court with poison gas, he fled the temple with his store of grailstone. He is undoubtedly still living up there in your world. A dangerous situation. He must be like the only wolf in a world of sheep. No insult intended. Ph2B_67 0 0 0 68 0 2 5,323 0,7,3,27,0 Can you tell me where Malik's court is? 1 1 0 I daren't. The thought of the place brings me bad dreams. Besides it was sealed by Tobias. Ph2B_68 0 0 0 69 0 3 5,326 0,1,3,13,0 5,346 What can you tell me about the 'vision of the holy thief'? 1 1 0 Ah, just the ravings of mad Tobias I'm afraid. Ph2B_69 0 0 0 79 0 1 0,7,3,15,0 Why is Tallum so crazy? What happened to him? 1 1 0 I'm not too certain. Though take my advice. It would undoubtedly be very unwise to ask him. Ph2B_79 0 0 0 80 0 0 Tell me about Tobias. 1 1 0 Tobias? He was a great man once. But his mind became distorted and callous. The test obsesses him. Ph2B_80 0 0 0 81 0 11 0,7,1,2,0 0,7,1,3,0 0,9,0,4,0 0,9,0,5,0 0,7,3,13,0 0,7,3,24,0 0,4,2,14,0 0,4,4,4,0 0,1,1,0,0 0,3,4,17,0 0,9,4,12,0 Tell me more of Edgar. 1 1 0 He is a ferocious fighter. Like Tallum, but unlike Tallum, he is sane. And you can trust him. Ph2B_81 0 0 0 999 0 0 If you'll excuse me, I'd better hurry. Or the grail will be long gone. 1 1 0 Very well. Ph2B_999 0 1 0 2C 0 5 0 115 0 2 0,1,2,5,0 0,1,2,7,0 Yes. But it went badly. We ended up fighting. I thought you said he was sane. 1 1 0 That is unfortunate and surprising. Perhaps, at long last, Aeternis has warped even his stolid, straightforward mind. (BREAK) In the meantime, friend, please forgive my earlier haste, I have more time to speak now. Ph2C_115 0 0 1 7 3 116 1 0,1,7,0,0 1 0,1,2,6,0 Yes. We made a deal, but I haven't yet got the chest to him. 1 1 0 Search the ship thoroughly. I have heard it is hidden there. (BREAK) In the meantime, friend, please forgive my earlier haste, I have more time to talk now. Ph2C_116 0 0 1 7 3 117 0 1 0,1,7,0,0 The chest was empty. 1 1 0 Empty? (Genuine shock) But how can that be? I am sorry stranger, Edgar will think you have stolen its contents. He won't rest now until he has killed you. I am mortified. (BREAK) In the meantime, friend, please forgive my earlier haste, I have more time for talk now. Ph2C_117 0 0 1 7 3 222 0 0 I'm sorry, I really don't have time for talking. I'm nervous concerning my rivals down here. 1 1 0 As you wish. Ph2C_222 0 1 0 76 0 0 Not as yet, no. 1 1 0 That is unfortunate. You should. He could prove most helpful to you. In the meantime, I apologise for my earlier haste. I have time now to talk further to you. Ph2C_76 0 0 1 7 3