Tales of Cadence

[KK Twain]

Moving away from the Tales Forums does make sense, its been done so much lately. (I hope it isn't like that during NaNoWriMo).

I loved the skit, it was fun seeing all the characters together. Its a really abusive group, isn't it?

I look forward to reading ToI!

Edit: whoops, paged the skit. Sorry about that!

[0999Silv]

I bet Azure and Raven would make a powerful team. They're just so cool together. This new main character, Ashton sounds pretty strong as well. I can't wait to see what he's like on the battle field.

Also, thanks for the Zenith reference. I hope to get input from you about my story later on.

All that aside, when you do post your new story, what site will it be on? Will it be on the Flighty Spirits journal, or is that where you'll continue the Candence sidequests?

[Roadie]

Thanks for the comments on the Fanstory Gummi, guys.

And I've made an edit to my annoucement on the Gummi post (although it sorta doesn't make much sense now): I'll still post Tales of the Illusion here on the forums, but I'll also post of the chapters on the LJ account as backup just in case the forums decide to go haywire again. (Although they apparently shouldn't, since Lunar said we're on a new server now... I've decided to continue posting here on the TOSF since they seem to be stable again!)

But I will be posting ToC sidequests and stuff on the LJ after I start posting TotI, just so I don't have to keep reviving this thread when it should be dead. Plus you can find my other crappy original stories on the LJ! (And I still might be rewriting Tales of the Bane sometime in the future, but news on that will be confined to the LJ account I think...)

Umm, so update-wise... I'll probably be working on the Stephen backstory sidequest next unless my muse shoots me elsewhere, and keep an eye open for character in-battle quotes and a list of unison attacks sometime in the near future. And I'm wondering if I should reset the favorite character poll now since the story's actually finished?

So yeah...unfortunately you guys aren't rid of me just yet. :')
_________________

[Gamestop]

[Swordmaster69]

What's the LJ thing, cuz i wanna read ur writing and stuff there too Roadie.
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Tales of Glory

Judith Avatar by Dimentio
Tales of Candence Rotating Fanbar by Squidmaster!!!

[Roadie]

Gamestop: It's okay, I'm not going to force you to read my craptastic writing.

Swordmaster: It's really just a blog, but I'll be posting original stuff there from now on, and ToC stuff after I've started posting TotI here.

Anyway, here's the Ilia backstory sidequest, as promised. Part II will be up within the next week. I hope you guys enjoy...!


Sidequest Series – Immortal Half-Elf, Part I

Return to ruins in Austror where you found Avani. Examine the clearing in the middle of the westernmost half of the area to trigger a scene with Ilia.


Ilia: …

Raven: Is something wrong?

Ilia: Nah, this place just brings back a lot of memories.

Raven: Aren’t these ruins over six hundred years old? You can remember that far back?

Ilia: Well, sort of. Not the little stuff. This area…my house—er, shack, I guess—used to be here.

Raven: I thought you said you grew up in Estershore…?

Ilia: I did. This area used to be part of the old Estershore—the slums.

Raven: Oh…

Ilia: My parents were an interracial couple, and they didn’t have a lot of money. But we made it with what we had.

Raven: So…why is this place in ruins? And why is Estershore a lot farther away?

Ilia: The battles in the Human-Elf civil war destroyed a lot of buildings, and the city was eventually rebuilt closer to the port. This part of the slums was destroyed by the elven mages because it was mostly populated by human supporters.

Raven: Were your parents… Er, what happened to them?

Ilia: Oh, they made it out of the neighborhood before it was attacked during an invasion of the city. They were fine. But me…

Raven: …

Ilia: Sorry, I didn’t mean to ramble on like that.

Raven: You can talk about it if you want.

Ilia: I don’t want to.

(Ilia walks off-screen.)

Raven: Hmm…


Examine the stone structure nearby to trigger another scene.


Felix: Huh, this column’s covered in a bunch of weird marks.

Stephen: Looks like it was hit by some really powerful magic.

Raven: I can sense a lot of residual black magic here…

Stephen: Ah, right, black magic was used a lot more often back then. I’m guessing these slums were hit by a particularly strong black magic spell.

Ilia: A mix of black magic and elemental magic, actually. The elves figured out how to craft a magical bomb of some sort back then.

Stephen: Whoa!

Felix: A black magic bomb?!

Raven: Imagine if we could make one of those now… Skylar would be down in an instant! It would be too easy!

Ilia: No.

Felix: Wh-What?

Ilia: I never want to see one of those made ever again! Don’t be so stupid!

(Ilia goes off-screen again.)

Raven: Well geez, I didn’t mean to piss her off like that.

Stephen: I think you touched a sensitive subject, Raven.

Raven: It’s not my fault!

Stephen: (sigh) It never is…

Felix: Hey, wasn’t there a museum in Itona? Would it have stuff about the Human-Elf civil war?

Raven: Yeah, it does.

Felix: Can we go check it out?

Raven: But that place is so boring… Who cares about all that dusty old stuff?

Felix: Please, Raven? Please, please? We might find something interesting!

Raven: Argh, fine! Fine! We can if you’ll let go of me!

Stephen: I’m a bit curious about this “bomb”, and why it’s got Ilia so upset…
_________________

[KK Twain]

I get the feeling that the black magic elemental bomb and Ilia's immortality are related.

Thanks for writing this up Roadie, I'm looking forward to learning more about Ilia.

[Toku]

[Roadie]

Glad you two enjoyed it. <3 Thanks for the comments, KK and Toku!

And as promised, here's the second part. Right on time, too! CALL ME BUTTER, 'CAUSE I'M ON A ROLL! But it sucks, as per usual.

Sorry it's sort of ramble-y towards the end... I was originally going to post the short prose version of Ilia's 'story' instead, but it was really awful to edit (it's very old) to I just...went with Ilia talking. :')

Next I might work on Stephen's backstory sidequest (which might involve prose), a sidequest event with Lianne and Lukas, or some other extra "if ToC was an actual Tales game" thing in the near future. If there's one in specific that you really want to see above the others, let me know...

In any case, enjoy the final part of Ilia's backstory sidequest! (Completeing this would really boost up her Affection level with Raven, fyi...)


Sidequest Series – Immortal Half-Elf, Part II

Return to Itona and visit the museum in the northernmost district of the city. Examine the wall of paintings in the Human-Elf civil war exhibit.


Felix: Here’s something about the black magic bomb!

Stephen: Ooh, let’s see… “The elves crafted a bomb using a lethal combination of black and elemental magic, which wreaked havoc across the southern cities and villages in Austror. Most of Estershore—a human-held city at the time—was destroyed, including a major section of the slums and middle quarter. Hundreds of people—both humans and half-elves alike—perished.”

Raven: It doesn’t say too much about what the bomb does.

Stephen: Hold on, there’s more. “Luckily, a treaty between the humans and the elves was written up before too many of the magical bombs could be used. The capital city of Itona managed to escape mostly unscathed, but many human settlements suffered massive damage until the conclusion of the war.”

Felix: Is there anything about how it’s made?

Elsynne: Of course not. Austror and Libra have banned the use of black magic, remember?

Felix: Ah, right… Lavinia doesn’t have any weapons like this either.

Ilia: And for good reason. The black bombs are…horrible…

Raven: Ilia...


Examine the personal effects stand near the paintings.


Stephen: It looks like this part of the exhibit has things that belonged to the people living in Estershore during the war.

Felix: Wow, these were all excavated from the ruins…

Elsynne: Coins, a necklace, weapon fragments, and-

Ilia: That’s…!

Raven: What’s wrong?

Ilia: T-This doll, behind the glass…that’s mine…my mother made it for me. I can’t believe it survived the explosion!

Felix: Didn’t you go back to your home to check stuff after the bomb went off?

Ilia: No, I couldn’t. I was sure everything was destroyed. But this…!

Raven: …


Speak to the museum curator in the main room once the scene is finished.


Raven: Hey, can I have that doll over in the Human-Elf civil war exhibit?

Curator: Why would I just hand over an artifact like that? It’s part of our history.

Raven: I know, but it’s-

Curator: I can’t simply give it up to you.

Raven: Grr…

Curator: Is that all? I’ll summon the guards if you stand here and make trouble.

Raven: Don’t you even know who I am?! Listen, I just need the damn doll!

Curator: Guards!

Raven: Oh, crap…

Stephen: Now you’re gone and done it.

Raven: Just shut up.

(Several knights arrive, led by Lukas.)

Lukas: Edward! What in the world are you doing here?

Raven: Of all the people who could’ve been out patrolling today, it had to be you…

Curator: Your Majesty! Do you know this…erm, young man?

Lukas: Hahah, I’m afraid I do. I’m unfortunate enough to call him my brother.

Curator: The you’re…! Forgive me. I didn’t recognize you!

Raven: Hmph.

Lukas: Could you excuse us for a second?

(Lukas pulls Raven aside.)

Lukas: Can you go anywhere without making a scene?

Raven: I’m not making a scene! I just need that doll in the case!

Lukas: The…the doll? Why do you want a doll?

Raven: It’s not for me! Ilia saw it and she said it was hers!

Lukas: Ilia did? Ah, right, she hasn’t seen the exhibit since the artifacts were switched around…

Raven: Can I just get it for her?

Lukas: Edward…you’re being uncharacteristically nice. What do you want from her?

Raven: Nothing. Can’t I just be nice?

Lukas: You’re an awful liar.

Raven: I’m not-

Lukas: I’ve known you since you were an infant. I know when you’re lying. And I’m willing to bet anyone could see through that terrible lie.

Raven: Okay, fine. I asked her about one of the black magic bombs that destroyed Estershore during the civil war, and she got really pissed off at me.

Lukas: And you think getting her the doll will get you back on her good side?

Raven: Something like that.

Lukas: (sigh) You’re completely tactless. Has she…told you why she has a seal on her body yet?

Raven: No. But I have a feeling it has something to do with that black magic bomb.

Lukas: I suppose so.

Raven: What, you don’t know either?

Lukas: No. Apparently she’s only shared the story with one other person in the royal family—your father, Arden. You have to earn her trust before she’ll tell you…and that’s not easy with a person like her.

Raven: Oh…

Lukas: I’ll get them to give you the doll, but don’t push her, okay? Be nice for once.

Raven: I’m trying!

Lukas: All right, calm down. And…be safe out there. I want you to come home in one piece.

Raven: Yeah, whatever.


Ilia: What is this…?

Raven: I got them to give me the doll. Here—it’s yours.

Ilia: Edward… You really got this back for me?

Raven: Yep.

Ilia: Thank you so much!. This really means a lot to me.

Raven: Um, glad you like it.

Ilia: My mother made this for me when I was very little. I’m so glad it survived all these years! Just like the bracelet she and my father made me.

Raven: That thing on your arm? Your parents made that?

Ilia: Yes. It’s…it’s part of the seal. It’s what binds me together. It keeps me alive.

Raven: “Binds you together”?

Ilia: …

Raven: Er, sorry. I, ah…won’t press you for information.

Ilia: You know…the only other person I told about the origin of my seal was-

Raven: My dad. I know, Lukas told me that much.

Ilia: I…trust you enough now to tell you, too.

Raven: Just because I got you that doll?

Ilia: No, no! Because I’ve been traveling with you long enough to get to know you well. But getting me the doll was nice of you.

Raven: Yeah, yeah.

Ilia: Okay… You’re half-elven like I am, so you’re already expected to live well over a hundred years. I was prepared for that as well—prepared to outlive my human mother and any human friends I might’ve made throughout the years. But the war changed things.

Raven: …

Ilia: A lot of people want to live forever, or stay young forever, or whatever. But it’s not fun…not at all. Especially when you know things I do—how to properly manipulate black magic. A lot of people still want to know the black magic arts, but they’re so dangerous.

Raven: Like the bomb?

Ilia: Yes. The bomb especially. Think of how much sway a country could have over the others if they had even one.

Raven: I’m not actually going to try to make one, you know.

Ilia: Let’s see, where should I start… You already know that Estershore was a very big city. The humans were holding it around the time the elves revealed their black magic bombs.

It was the second summer of the war—I had just turned fourteen a few months beforehand—and I was hiding in the slums, under a shack. My parents were out at the time.

I remember the streets being really, really quiet. I was terrified, but I felt like I had to get out of there. Like…something bad was going to happen, and I didn’t want to be there. So I waited until I thought everything was clear and I left the house and went up the street with a few other people--most of them were other humans and a few half-elves. We were going to hide out in the middle of the city, where the human knights would distract the elves. There weren’t a lot of knights patrolling the slums—not because we were the lowest on the social ladder, but because the humans were shorthanded.

The elven mages were there at the end of the street, waiting for us. They were…intolerant of half-elves at the time, especially human-supporting ones. I started to run away, but they detonated one of their bombs before I could get far enough.

The explosion threw me across the street. I was broken and twisted when I finally hit the ground…everything hurt so much that I thought I was going to die. I blacked out after that, but my father—he apparently came back to the slums very shortly after the explosion and found me—brought me to our new hiding place in the middle of the city. My father knew how to manipulate the black magic in the air, so he created the seal that would heal the fatal wounds and bind my soul to my body before I died. My mother made the bracelet, and my father used it as a key of sorts to keep the seal in place. It works sort of like the mark on your arm did.

But the seal preserves my body. That's why I won't ever grow older.

And…that’s what happened. The black magic nearly killed me, but at the same time it brought me back to life.

Raven: …

Ilia: My mother died forty years after that, and my father died about two hundred later. I was alone for a few centuries before the royal family employed me and kept me hidden.

Raven: Why did you decide to work for them?

Ilia: It was easier than trying to hide by myself. They were willing to take me in despite the fact that I knew black magic—but, of course, I had to be ready to perform spells on their behalf. And it was nice, not being alone…but I never really attached myself to anyone, so it didn’t sting when they finally died. But…

Raven: You got a little too attached to Arden, didn’t you?

Ilia: It wasn’t like that. He was fascinated by the fact that I was a half-elf and I’d been alive for so long. He ran into me before he was supposed to, and we just started talking. He was the first friend I’d made in so long, so it was nice finally speaking to someone for longer than a few minutes at a time.

Raven: And then what happened?

Ilia: He was the youngest brother, so he decided to do ambassadorial work out on the plains. We didn’t hear much from him after he went to live with the elves. Then he came back here sometime in the dead of winter with you and Lianne in tow.

Raven: …

Ilia: He had one final request for me before he went home to confront Skylar for the last time. Arden asked me to keep an eye on you.

Raven: Is that why you followed me all over when I joined Elsynne?

Ilia: That was one reason. I thought she was going to kill you, since she’s the Heir and you’re the Messenger. But I know now that Elsynne wouldn’t do that.

Raven: Yeah…

Ilia: It’s just…now I’ve made so many friends, and I have to watch them grow old and die without me…

Raven: Well, I’m a half-elf, so I’ll be sticking around for a hundred more years, right? And Elsynne’s race supposedly lives a little over a hundred years, so she’ll be around too. You won’t be lonely.

Ilia: Yes, I suppose I won’t.

Raven: …Do you know how much longer you’re going to live?

Ilia: I don’t know. Until the seal finally breaks, or the black magic somehow disappears from this world. It all depends.

Raven: Well…don’t do anything stupid, okay?

Ilia: I…won’t.

Raven: So, ah, should we get going? The others are probably still waiting for us.

Ilia: Edward…thank you.

Raven: For what?

Ilia: For listening. And for being a friend, as cheesy as that sounds.

Raven: It does sound really cheesy. But you say cheesy things sometimes.

Ilia: Haha. Well, I’ll be looking forward to the next one hundred years.

Raven: Same here.
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[Fades]

Wow...that's pretty depressing...knowing now what happens in the end, it kind of makes you feel sorry for Ilia. This sidequest made her go way up in my eyes. Bravo on a brilliant sidequest.

[KK Twain]

Perhaps the ending where she was dying anyway due to sealing the black magic was actually kind to Ilia. She doesn't have to out live anyone anymore.

I enjoyed this sidequest, it was nice to peek into Ilia's past.

[Gamestop]

How beautiful. Two and a half thumbs up!
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by Sir Shrek

sexy avy by Pictomaster Murasaki.

[Roadie]

Thanks for the comments on the sidequest, everyone.

And now for something a little different! I actually got off my ass and put together the audio skits I promised ages ago. But these videos are the first ones I've made on this computer, so the quality is probably awful and they're a bit clumsy... And for some reason the program I was using wouldn't let me up the volume on a few clips, so they might be low. (And yes, I did try increasing it with Audacity, but it didn't help much either.) And sorry about the subs not lining up right. I really, really hate WMM. :')

Thanks again to the ToC VAs.

"That Sounds Familiar...!", featuring Flamzeron as Raven and Gamestop as Will.
"Fatherhood", featuring wolfeyes as Cymbeline, Fernard as Skylar, and Kevvie as Stephen. (I don't think I ever got the lines for Ophelia and Felix, but I went ahead and made the skit anyway because the other VAs turned their lines in and I didn't want to just leave them hanging.)

Aaaand here's another sidequest. Finally, a not-depressing one... Maybe this can make up for my WMM fail?


Sidequest Series: The Katz Meow

Go to the Katz Meow restaurant in Clayridge to trigger a scene.


Ilia: Stephen, Raven, get over here.

Raven: What do you want?

Ilia: Remember our bet?

Raven: Bet…?

Stephen: Ohhh, that poker bet. God, I still can’t believe I lost to you all those times…

Ilia: Heheh. Well, it’s time to collect.

Raven: A-A-Ah, but I don’t remember the bet! The, uh, the black magic erased some of my memories! I should be exempt!

Ilia: Oh, for the love of… Edward, you’re not fooling anyone.

Stephen: Come on, Raven. We’re not getting out of this one.

Raven: You can do whatever you’d like, but I won’t go down without a fight!

Ilia: Shut up for a second, will you? I haven’t even said what we’re doing.

Raven: Something awful, I just know it.

Ilia: We’re in Clayridge now, so I can tell you what I want us to do.

Raven: Wait…‘us’…?

Ilia: Get your mind out of the gutter. Now, you see this restaurant over here?

Raven: “The Katz Meow”? Sounds dumb.

Stephen: Oh, I’ve heard about this place before! Don’t the waiters and waitresses have to dress like Katz?

Ilia: They used to, but they looked too ridiculous to serve customers. Now they wear semiformal clothing and Katz ears…sometimes a fake tail, too. Stuff like that.

Stephen: Let me guess. You want us to dress up and serve people, don’t you?

Ilia: Yeah! I think it could be fun! I’ll be doing it too!

Raven: Nuh-uh, no way in hell.

Ilia: You lost the bet! You have to!

Raven: Over my dead body!

Elsynne: Why don’t we all join in? It could be fun!

Felix: Oooh, I want to try!

Cymbeline: Me too~

Raven: If they’re all dressing up, can I wait out here?

Everyone: No.

Raven: Damn it…


Conversations during the Katz Costume Event…

Raven: This outfit looks awful on me…

Elsynne: I think the outfit is handsome. But the ears…

Skylar: They make you look even more ridiculous than usual.

Raven: Gah! What are you doing here?!

Skylar: I was in the neighborhood, and I decided to stop by-

Raven: Cut the crap. Get out.

Skylar: No way, I’m in on this too. I was still in the party when Ilia beat you, wasn’t I?

Raven: Grrr…

~~~

Felix: Hey, there aren’t any waiter outfits left! Skylar took the only spare one!

Raven: Huh, you could wear this.

Felix: There are a lot of frills… Are you sure this is a male’s outfit?

Raven: (It’s a maid outfit…heheh, perfect humiliation.)

Felix: Raven?

Raven: Er, yeah. It just has frills for decoration!

Felix: Oh, okay. I’ll go put it on.

Raven: Don’t forget this, either.

Felix: What is it?

Raven: A tiar- er, a headpiece.

Felix: All right.

Skylar: Raven, you’re leering.

Raven: No I’m not!

~~~

Ilia: (sigh)

Elsynne: What’s wrong?

Ilia: My outfit doesn’t look as cute on me as I thought it would…

Elsynne: I think it looks cute.

Ilia: Really?

Elsynne: Of course! The colors look great with the indigo in your eyes.

Ilia: Thanks, Elsynne! But I’m envious… You look a lot cuter in your dress, and the Katz ears really complete the outfit.

Elsynne: You think so?

Ilia: Just ask Edward! Hey, come here for a second!

Elsynne: Eh…?!

Raven: I’m already in this stupid costume. What more do you want…?

Ilia: Isn’t Elsynne adorable in that outfit?

Elsynne: (blushes)

Raven: Huh? Oh, sure.

Ilia: See? I told you!

~~~

Cymbeline: Ah, a perfect fit!

Skylar: Isn’t that a bit revealing?

Cymbeline: Is it?

Stephen: Just a little.

Raven: It’ll help us rake in the tips, though.

Cymbeline: That’s good, then!

Skylar: Oh, Raven. You haven’t changed a bit, have you?

Raven: Shut up.

~~~

Felix: Let’s start serving!

Ilia: Felix is right- pffffthahahaahahahaha!

Felix: Wh-What?!

Elsynne: Felix, why are you wearing…er, that outfit?

Felix: What d-do you mean…?

Ilia: That’s a Katz maid uniform! It’s for women!

Felix: B-But Raven didn’t say that when he handed it to me!

Skylar: That’s because Raven wants to see you dressed up like that.

Raven: No I don’t! Stop spreading lies, you stupid bastard!

Stephen: Hm, I always thought there was something strange going on between those two.

Raven: Shut up!

Ilia: Well, that frilly little hairpiece looks adorable on you, Felix.

Elsynne: The frills are an interesting touch.

Felix: (sigh)

~~~

Elsynne: Cymbeline’s getting a ton of attention…

Ilia: Ugh, it’s not fair. Aren’t we cute, too?

Stephen: I don’t think people are staring at her because she’s cute…

Elsynne: At least the tips will help us when we need to stock up on supplies later.

Ilia: I know, but this is an awful blow to my self-esteem…

~~~

Ophelia: Stephen! What in the world are you doing?

Stephen: Um, serving food?

Ophelia: Dressed like that? In the Katz Meow?!

Stephen: It’s just an outfit…! At least I’m not completely dressed like a Katz! I only have the ears!

Ophelia: Hmm… Well, I guess the rest of the waiter outfit does look good on you. The ears are all right, but I’m glad you don’t wear them all the time.

Stephen: They’re pinching my head and getting stuck in my hair. I don’t think I want to wear them much longer.

Ophelia: You look handsome, and so do Raven and Skylar…but…why did you let Cymbeline dress like that?!

Stephen: I didn’t know she’d come out looking like that! I wasn’t there when the girls were changing!

Ophelia: You’d better not…

~~~

Raven: Phew, we’re finally done.

Elsynne: How much money did we make?

Ilia: A ton! We can buy a lot of new stuff with this!

Cymbeline: And the owner said we could keep the outfits, too.

Raven: I don’t want to keep mine.

Felix: Me neither…

Cymbeline: Everyone complimented me when I had mine on~

Raven: I can see why…

Stephen: Well, we can save them for special occasions.

Ilia: Ooh, what kind of special occasions?

Stephen: I don’t know.

Elsynne: Let’s set them aside. Maybe we can wear them for fun.

Raven: I never want to wear this again.

Ilia: Oh, come on. I saw all those girls eyeing you. You can’t say you didn’t like the attention.

Raven: Heh…

Felix: I got more attention than I was comfortable with… Thanks a lot, Raven.

Raven: It’s not my fault you look girly enough even without the costume on.

Felix: You didn’t have to trick me!

Stephen: Speaking of humiliation, where’d Skylar go?

Elsynne: He must’ve left when we were changing back into our regular clothes.

Raven: We’ll catch up with him again. Come on, let’s go.

(( Raven earned the title Katz Waiter!
Elsynne earned the title Katz Waitress!
Skylar earned the title Katz Butler!
Felix earned the title Katz Maid!
Stephen earned the title Katz Maître d'!
Ilia earned the title Katz Girl!
Cymbeline earned the title Katz Mistress! ))
_________________

[Fernard]

Ignoring my horrific voice, I lol'd at the sidequest. ((Hooray Cymbeline ♥))
_________________
Count Sophie von Pamcakes says:

"Nyahahah! Visit Angelglory's YouTube Channel!"

[Fades]

That sidequest was priceless. Love how Skylar keeps randomly showing up and how Felix got a maid costume. Poor kid. XP The audio skits were great too!