 CHAIN IF ~conditions~
THEN NERIA speech1
~The time has come, my fellow conspirators; all is prepared, and the Ritual almost completed. Soon, the Shade Lord will be resurrected, and his power shall aid us in our quest to bring Shade back to Toril!~
== COMM2 ~But... I've heard about what happened last time, isn't he, well, evil?~
== NERIA ~SILENCE! I will brook *no* word against Shadow! Do you hear me, commoner?~
== COMM2 ~Y-yes, Lady Neria.~
== NERIA ~Good. Now... do you have what you were asked to bring, my friends?~
== COMM1 ~Yes, Lady, we have brought the girl- but, what is to happen to her?~
== NERIA ~Nothing terribly bad... she will just aid in the ritual.~
== LK#ARK ~(Whisper) <CHARNAME>, something isn't right! Is that not the girl, Amuana-?~
END
++ ~Be quiet, Arktohl! We cannot interfere until the time is right, or it will go awry!~ THEN GOTO PC1.1
++ ~You're right, something is *definately* wrong here. She has powers of her own, she couldn't simply be *taken*...~ THEN GOTO PC1.2

IF ~~ THEN BEGIN LK#ARK PC1.1
~I'm aware of that, <CHARNAME>, but something is *definately* not right... I can feel it.~ THEN GOTO speech2

IF ~~ THEN BEGIN LK#ARK PC1.2
~Yes... I suppose we will have to watch, and wait, and strike when the time is right.~ THEN GOTO speech2

IF ~~ THEN BEGIN speech2
== COMM1 ~Hah, and we almost believed the other villages when they said she was powerful...~
== NERIA ~She is... I am surprised she has not put up more resistance. Why do you come so willingly, little Amuana?~
== AMUANA ~Because I have no choice, Neriathrala, Lady of Shadow. I do what I must to protect what I must.~
== NERIA ~Hah, I am afraid your sacrifice will not help... in fact, little Prophetess, it will aid me all the more.~
== AMUANA ~(She faces the cultists, eyes blazing.) You do not know what you have gotten yourselves into! Neriathrala is not good, she will not aid you in gaining better lives! I have Seen, my people, and all she has to give you is death.~
== COMM1 ~We have no other choice, and what would you know? You are just a child, a stinking, rotten brat.~
== COMM2 ~But maybe she tells the truth, maybe-~
== NERIA ~I do have ears, peasant- you are no longer useful to me if you do not agree with my - our... noble intentions. Have fun in the afterlife, I hear it is most... pleasant, there.~
END

(Neria kills COMM2)

CHAIN IF ~conditions~
THEN NERIA speech2
~Are there any more such... interruptions?~
= ~No?~
= ~I am glad we understand each other, my *friends*. All is in place... The Ritual is prepared, and I am ready.~
= ~(She turns and faces you, a smirk on her face.) Ah, yes, I have known you were here, <CHARNAME>... I can smell you. Your blood will please the Lord, I am sure... Two sacrifices, one a well-hated enemy and another a Godspawn... he will be pleased.~
= ~But let us skip the pleasantries... die, <CHARNAME>, and be pleased that you died in the service of Lady Neriathral and Shadow.~
== COMM1 ~Let's get out of here!!~
END

(She attacks. When she is 'dead')

CHAIN IF ~conditions~
THEN NERIA speech2
~Haha... hahaHAHAHAHAH! You... you are too- too late...~
= ~This... was but a distraction... Shade shall rise a-again! My... my death will only please the Lord more... you... you... (She wheezes, and begins to cough up blood. She falls backwards, motionless.)~
=
~There is a moment of silence. Neria's body lies on the floor, blood slowly dripping from the wounds you have inflicted upon her. Arktohl lies at the ground by Neria, cupping her face in his hands. He kisses her, softly. So softly.~
== LK#ARK ~I apologise, <CHARNAME>... but I have not been entirely... true to you.~
= ~(In a fluid motion he drags Amuana to the altar, a knife held to her throat.) Now, you have a choice, <CHARNAME>... not that it will matter in the end. First, I'm sure you have a... question or two. (His blue eyes widen slightly. They remind you eerily of one you know well... all too well. His were just a little lighter, cold, logical... Arktohl's are filled with unfathomable emotion.)~

++ ~I... Arktohl, what are you doing? Why?!~ THEN GOTO Speech2.1
++ ~Arktohl, you don't have to do this. Put the knife down, let Amuana go...~ THEN GOTO Speech2.1
++ ~Why, Arktohl? You seemed so... so honest. So nice. So... *good*. How could you do a thing like this, to bare a knife to a child's throat?~ THEN GOTO Speech2.1


IF ~~ THEN BEGIN Speech2.1
SAY ~Have you ever loved someone, <CHARNAME>? Have you ever had a love turn on you, turn against everything that you believe in?~
=
~It matters not... *I* do not have a choice. I *must* do this. It is the only way to stop Shade from returning... (A tear falls down his face.)~

++ ~No, Arktohl, you do. There is always a choice. Always. I can use the rod... It has to do something! You can't just kill her, Arktohl!~ THEN GOTO Speech2.1.1
++ ~Bullshit, Arktohl. Hand the child over, or I shall wreak bloody vengeance upon your body. Don't do this.~ THEN GOTO Speech2.1.1
++ ~No! I will not allow this. It is *wrong*! Can you not see this, Arktohl? Nothing good can come of it!~ THEn GOTO Speech2.1.1


IF ~~ THEN BEGIN Speech2.1.1
SAY ~I can, and will. You cannot stop me, <CHARNAME>- I will do whatever it takes to stop Toril's eventual destruction.~ THEN GOTO PC1.1



IF ~~ THEN BEGIN LK#ARK PC1.1
~(With a violent motion he takes the knife and plunges it into Amuana's chest, her red blood splattering over the altar.)~
== AMUANA ~(The frail girl looks at you, but not with fear- hope glimmers in her eyes, an impossible hope as her life quickly fades away. She tries to speak, but all that you hear is a gurgling sound.)~
= ~(She gazes at you for a moment more, and you hear a voice within your mind.) -Know that this is my choice- and I choose for you to live. Your future holds many, many things... you will wade in blood, but you will also find balance, I hope. The rod must... it must be placed on the Altar... thankyou... thankyou for...-~
= ~(With a final slump of her shoulders, Amuana dies, and for a moment all is silent.)~
== LK#ARK ~It is done... and now we wait.~
END
++ ~You will pay for what you have done, vile bastard, but for now... (Place the rod on the altar)~ THEN GOTO PC1.1.1
++ ~Arktohl... there is always another way... always... you didn't have to... (Place the rod on the altar.~ THEN GOTO PC1.1.2
++ ~What are we waiting for? Some divine visitation? Some heavenly trumpets singing your praises? Not going to happen. (Place the rod on the altar)~ THEN GOTO PC1.1.1


IF ~~ THEN BEGIN PC1.1.1
SAY ~I did it for the greater good, <CHARNAME>... Shade will not return.~
=
~What in the nine hells...?~ THEN EXIT
END


IF ~~ THEN BEGIN PC1.1.2
SAY ~Not always, <CHARNAME>.~ THEN GOTO PC1.1.1
END

(Shade Lord summoning scene)


CHAIN IF ~conditions~
THEN shadelord SL
~(Shadow erupts from the altar, twisting, whispy tendrils of darkness which wrap around the body of the Child Prophetess. From them forms a familiar shape... and before long, the Shade Lord stands before you once more.)
=
~Aah... who hass- hold! I know you... you are the ones who defeated me. I have form, substance, once more... you took thosse from me. I need not a hosst... I have a body of my own. Innocent blood spilt by those of unwary minds upon an altar clean; steel traps must evade them... die, you of wooden minds!~
== LK#ARK ~What... what have I done?!~
== shadelord ~Ssomething you will ssoon regret, mortal... very ssoon!~
END
++ ~Damn you, Arktohl, and damn you once more! (Attack the Shade Lord)~ THEN EXIT
++ ~Argh, not you again!! (Attack)~ THEN EXIT