Chapter 4
World map. You can reach Therinsford.
A bridge. A man stops you.
Man: “You c’n stop right there. This’s my bridge. Gotta pay t’ get over.”
Eragon: “Not quite, you! I, with Zar’roc, shall take off your head!”
‘BOSS’ BATTLE vs. greasy man
After ‘win’, man runs away. Eragon has received money!
Brom: “…”
Eragon: “Oh, were you planning to pay him and then steal his money? But won’t that just let the problem go worse, cause he’ll try to get more from other people?”
Brom: “…”
Free mode. You can go on to Therinsford.
When you reach the stables, you see a man and a white horse. Several other horses are in stalls.
Brom: “That’s a beautiful animal.”
Haberth: “Yup. He’s name’s Snowfire. Mine’s Haberth. What can I do you for?”
Brom: “Oooh…”
Eragon: “Ahem.”
Brom: “Er, we need two horses and a full set of tack for both.”
Haberth: “Well, there’s a bay and a roan. They’ll be perfect.”
Brom: “We’ll take the bay. The roan looks like you on a bad day. I don’t like him.”
Haberth: “But he has good legs!”
Brom: “What’ll you take for Snowfire?”
Haberth: “I’d rather not sell him.”
Bay comes out.
Eragon: “Nice horseee…”
Brom: “…come on. Name your price. He’s a real cool horse!”
Haberth: “Fine. Two hundred crowns.”
Paid two hundred crowns for the white horse.
Brom: “Heehee, now I’m just like Gandalf! I will treat him as if he had been sired by Gildintor, the greatest steed of legend.”
Haberth: “You say that for a horse from my stock?”
Brom: “Hey, when it’s a white horse, you know it’s a cool horse!”
Haberth: “Grey horse, actually. There’s no such thing as white horses.”
Brom: “…”
Scene ends. You’re free to explore and leave town.
***
World map. At various points are invisible switches that just prompt a message box.
Text box: “So they walked…”
Text box: “…and walked…”
Eragon: “Oh, by the way, I’m naming my horse after my grandfather, Cadoc!”
Brom: “He’s probably turning over his grave right now.”
***
Yazuac. The town is in ruins. Event comes in when you get in the middle of the bodies.
Eragon: “…”
Brom: “Well, that’s some nasty piece of work.”
Eragon: “BLARGH…”
Brom: “Watch it!”
Eragon: “Is that the white body of a baby? Oh my God! What does our existence mean when it can end like this? Look at that stupid crow! Well, I won’t let you get away…”
(Sound effect, crow squawking)
Saphira: “You know, that crow was just following its natural instincts. You’re no better than the murderers here.”
Eragon: “I don’t care.”
Saphira: “Eragon, watch out!”
BOSS BATTLE vs. two Urgals
Battle event:
Eragon: “Brisingr!”
Casts fire.
When battle is over…darkness.
Saphira: “Eragon, wake up!”
Eragon: “Five more minutes, mumsy…”
(Sound effect, loud noise, then roar)
Scene comes in again. Two Urgal bodies lying on the ground.
Saphira: “You can cast magic!”
Eragon: “I know! Brom, what happened? How could I possibly have used magic?”
Brom: “Hmmm…”
Eragon: “Come on, tell me! What’s wrong? Is there some secret I’m not supposed to know until I’m old and wise? Or maybe you don’t know anything about magic?”
Brom: “Alright, I’ll tell you. Magic has rules, and if you break it the penalty is death. Your deeds are limited by your strength, the words you know, and your imagination. What you said—Brisingr—is from an ancient language that all living things use to speak.”
Saphira: “Like in Ursula K. LeGuin’s Earthsea novels?”
Brom: “Very good Saphira! But this is Alagaesia, so it’s original! Anyway, it came from the elves, who taught it to other races, and it’s the basis for all power. The practice of giving names to things and making them happen is more of an art than anything else. Anyway, you should use magic only when you need to, or it’ll kill you. Magicians have to know their limits. Once you release it, it can’t…Eragon, are you listening to me?”
Eragon is running around chasing a butterfly.
Saphira: “Well, at least he’s quiet about it.”
Out to world map.
***
Daret. The village is empty, but when they get to the middle of the village event takes over. Several men appear on the rooftops with bows.
Eragon: “Saphira, stay away! There are too many. If you come, they’ll shoot you out of the sky. Stay away! I will use my powerful magic to stop the arrows from hitting us, though I do not know how!”
Townsfolk: “Can you shut the kid up?”
Brom: “I can’t, he’s retarded.”
Eragon: “Hah hah!”
Townsfolk: “Why have you come here?”
Brom: “To buy supplies and hear the news. Nothing more. We’re on my way to my cousin’s house in Dras-Leona.”
Townsfolk: “You can’t fool us! You’re armed pretty heavily! What do you think we are, morons?”
Eragon: “Well actually…”
Brom: “Eragon, shut up. Anyway, aren’t you armed too? These are dangerous times.”
Townsfolk: “Well, I don’t think you’re bad people, but we’ve had too many encounters with Urgals and bandits for me to trust you only on your word.”
Brom: “Do we look like Urgals or Bandits?”
2 second pause.
Townsfolk: “Hmm. Well, bring out Randy. You can buy those supplies from him. Randy!”
Randy comes out.
Randy: “Hyuk hyuk, I’m Randy and I’m here to service you!”
Eragon: “…”
Brom: “…”
Randy (with a stupid grin on his face): “Welcome to my store!”
(Buy supplies, potions, etc.)
Townsfolk: “I’m Trevor, by the way. Normally, I’d shake your hand, but they look dirty so, I’d rather not.”
Brom: “Good. I have a problem with men touching me. Out in public..”
Trevor: “Do you have any news from other towns?”
Brom: “Yazuac’s been destroyed, apparently."
Trevor: “No!”
Brom: “Yup, we saw them bodies piled up together.”
Trevor: “Those bastards deserve it! Hah, cheap underwear my ass…”
Brom: “Okaaay…we better go now.”
Free mode. Can only leave world map, can’t explore Daret.
***
Dark scene.
Brom: “You know, you could have used your powers to look into Trevor’s mind, like you communicate with Cadoc or Saphira. It’s simple but you must use it sparingly and with great caution. A person’s mind is his last sanctuary. You must never violate it.”
Eragon: “Really, I can do that? I’d love to see what you’re thinking of.”
Brom: “Actually, you wouldn’t.”
Eragon: “…”
Brom: “Listen to cats.”
Eragon: “Why?”
Brom: “Because I said so.”
Eragon: “Are you going to explain to me now how to do it?”
Brom: “I will off scene. Since our player/reader won’t be able to do it no matter how detailed I explain it, might as well not bore them.”
Saphira: “Eraaagoon, I want you to riiiide meeeeeeeeeeeee…I need you to riiiide me…”
Eragon: “…”
***
Scene opens in the sky, showing Eragon and Saphira flying.
Eragon: “Wheeee…”
Saphira: “Oh yes!”
Scene fade.
***
Darkness.
Eragon: “Brom, what’s the sea like?”
Brom: “You must have heard it described before.”
Eragon: “Yes, but what is it really like?”
Brom: “The sea is emotion incarnate. It loves, hates, and weeps. It defies all attempts to capture it with words and rejects all shackles. No matter what you say about it, there is always that which you can’t.”
Eragon: “…the sea…is a rebellious, angsty pre-teen?”
Brom: “Don’t you know poetry when you hear it? Here’s another the elves made.
O liquid temptress ‘neat the azure sky,
Your gilded expanse calls me, calls me.
For I would sail ever on,
Were it not for the elven maid,
Who calls me, calls me.
She binds my heart with a lily-white tie,
Never to be broken, save by the sea,
Ever to be torn twixt the trees and waves.”
Eragon: “…”
Brom: “Yes, isn’t it beautiful?”
Eragon: “It sounds like what Garrow would say after five bottles of gin.”
Brom: “…”
Eragon: “Here’s my poem.
There once was a man from Nantucket…”
***
2 second pause.
Brom: “We’ll need fake names when we get to Teirm.”
Eragon: “Schotheilm Reinbach XII!”
Brom: “No, I will be Neal and you will be my nephew Evan.”
Eragon: “Awww…”
***
Teirm. Can explore town. When you reach bar, talk to a man.
Brom: “Do you know where we can find a man called Jeod?”
Man: “Jeod lives on the west side of town, right next to Angela, the herbalist.”
When you get to west town, automatic event outside Angela’s where Angela is sitting.
Brom: “Which house is Jeod’s?”
Angela: “This is an RPG. Why don’t you barge in both of them?”
Brom: “…”
Eragon: “Why are you holding a frog?”
Angela: “This frog is actually a toad. I’m trying to prove that toads don’t exist—that there are only frogs.”
Eragon: “I’m guessing you got this from the idea that all toads are frogs but not all frogs are toads.”
Angela: “Eh?”
Eragon: “You racist, prejudiced freak. Just because all black men are people and not all people are black men doesn’t mean black men don’t exist!”
Angela: “But…”
Eragon: “Oh my God, I’ve never seen anyone stupider than I am! You’re probably my deranged younger sister with less brain cells than I have! Argh! You’re disgusting. Let’s go, Brom.”
End event. When you reach Jeod’s house…
Woman: “What do you want?”
Brom: “Does Jeod live here?”
Woman: “Yes, he’s my husband. Is he expecting you?”
Brom: “No, but we need to talk with him.”
Woman: “He is very busy.”
Brom: “We have traveled far. It’s very important that we see him.”
Woman: “Listen, I’m a freakishly pissed menopausal woman. Don’t test me!”
Brom: “…please?”
Woman: “Fine.” Woman goes upstairs.
Eragon: “That wasn’t very polite.”
Brom: “She’s more polite than you are.”
Jeod comes out.
Jeod: “Brom…?”
Brom: “Jeod!”
(BG music, cheesy romantic)
Jeod: “Brom!”
Brom: “Jeod!”
Jeod: “Brom!”
Brom: “Jeod!”
Jeod: “I thought you were dead! What happened? Why haven’t you contacted me before?”
Brom: “I’ll explain. Can we talk, in private?”
Jeod: “Okay, we’ll talk, in private.”
They look at Eragon.
Brom: “Well, the kid has to come with us, so I guess not that private.”
Jeod: “Oh, he can join…”
Eragon: “…”
Jeod: “I’m kidding. Let’s go.”
They walk into a room
Brom: “Now it’s time we talk about things the boy won’t understand.”
Jeod: “Certainly.”
Brom: “….whisper whisper….bzzzt…whisper whisper…”
Jeod: “shshahshu…whisper whisper…”
Eragon: “You know guys, I’m still right here.”
Brom: “…mrashshhwashushu…whisper whisper…shusahhsa…”
Jeod: “…ashu? Ahuaehua…whisper whisper…”
Eragon: “Guys…”
Brom: “Jajraeal…whisper…bzzt…”
Jeod: “A si! A si!”
Eragon: “That’s it, I’m outta here.”
Brom: “Heheheh.”
Eragon leaves the room. Outside the door…
Eragon: “Guess I should go check up on Saphira.”
Once out of the city…
Saphira: “Eragon! I missed you! But I’m going to be mean to you starting right now!”
Eragon: “Wha?”
Saphira: “Harumph.’
Eragon: “Let’s hug.”
They hug, and then Eragon is free to go back to Teirm. Gate closes behind him.
Guard: “Aww, nuts.”
Eragon: “Better luck next time, bastards!”
Eragon can explore city. Event again when he comes back to Jeod’s house.
Brom: “You better go sleep now.”
Eragon goes to bed. The next day…
Butler: “Sir, Neal left with my master earlier. He said you could do whatever you want today.”
Eragon: “Cool. Thanks dude.”
Eragon is free to wander. Event occurs when he reaches the herbalist’s shop. A werecat meets him.
Eragon: “A cat! Let me prod your mind like Brom said.”
Cat: “You sick freak.”
Eragon: “Saphira?”
Cat: “Do I *sound* like your boy loving dragon?”
Eragon: “Saphira! Don’t play games with me!”
Cat: “Oh God, you ARE stupid.”
Eragon: “So it’s you! Oh my God! A cat who can talk! I don’t believe it!”
Cat: “After all you’ve seen, you should be able to believe a lot of things.”
Eragon: “What’s your name?”
Cat: “Solembum.”
Eragon: “…solemn…bum?”
Solembum: “Yes.”
Eragon: “…heheh…”
Solembum: “Don’t laugh at it!”
Angela comes out and stares at the two.
Angela: “Well, you’re getting along. Is there anything you want, boy?”
Eragon: “I was wondering if you have a cure for this itchy, wet spot right here between my…”
Angela: “I’m not that kind of herbalist!”
Eragon: “Yes you are. Here, look at this…”
Angela hits Eragon.
Angela: “How about I tell your fortune?”
Eragon: “Cool.”
Angela goes into a room and comes back out with a bag. She throws it on the table.
Eragon: “What are those?”
Angela: “Dragon knucklebones.”
Eragon: “Cool. Let’s begin.”
Angela: “Oh yeah, you’re the only one person other than that woman Selena who offered to have this done for them. Her fortune was bleak and painful.”
Eragon: “Mummy?”
Angela: “Hey, don’t cry on me! We haven’t even began yet! Okay…manin! Wyrda! Hugin!”
Eragon: “Pardon me?”
Angela: “Don’t ruin it!”
Eragon: “Oh! Sorry.”
Angela: “Hmm…let’s see here. The itchy wet spot will consume your loins and proceed to cause your manhood fall off…”
Eragon: “!!!”
Angela: “Oh, and it also says you’ll have an infinite, or a long, long life.”
Eragon: “Without my manhood?!
Angela: “You’ll have many choices in your future, great battles, blood, conflict, and I guess someday you’re gonna take a long trip…away from here…”
Eragon: “…”
Angela: “And someone close to you will die.”
Eragon: “Noo! Roran!!!”
Angela: “Hmmm. There will also be an epic romance in your future. I cannot say if this passion will end happily, but your love is of noble birth and heritage. She is powerful, wise, and beautiful beyond compare. I guess she’d have to be, if she’s gonna stick with you even if your manhood falls off…”
Eragon: “Why do you keep repeating that like it’s true?!!!”
Angela: “Because it is. Now let me continue. Someone from your family will betray you.”
Eragon: “I can’t let Roran sleep with my beautiful woman! ARGGGH!”
Angela: “The bones never lie.”
Eragon: “But you might.”
Angela: “You have an interesting future. Who are you?”
Eragon: “Schotheilm Reinbach XII. I mean, Eragon.”
Angela: “Is that who you are or your name?”
Eragon: “You must have a screw loose. I gotta go.”
Angela: “Wait, wait. That man with you yesterday, what’s his name?”
Eragon: “Brom.”
Angela: “Oh! That one!”
Eragon: “What about him?”
Angela: “He’s something of a joke with us. His future is quite uncertain, and his doom, so to speak.”
Eragon: “Well, he is gay.”
Angela: “Ahh.”
Eragon: “Anyway, I gotta go. Thanks for the erm…warning.”
Eragon leaves house, then scene closes.
