S.O.S.
The crew responds to a distress signal from an island that is supposed to be deserted. There they find the treasure hunter Karva, who was apparently deceived and left behind. When she learns that the crew is on its way to the Island of the Astrals, she decides to join up for the thrill of it.
The crew is flying near an island thought to be deserted.
Suddenly Katalina leans forward on the deck and points out something sparkling on the surface of the island.
Katalina: Hm? Is that a flare?
Vyrn: Huh? From that tiny island? Isn't it supposed to be deserted?
Katalina: Hmm... My eyes could be playing tricks on me, but let's try signaling in response.
Katalina fires her flare gun. The blazing projectile flies through the sky, leaving a trail in its wake.
Katalina: Look! A reply! That's definitely a distress signal! We have to go help!
The crew lands on the island and heads for the approximate location where the flare gun was fired.
Karva: Oh! You came!
Lyria: Are you all right? What are you doing in a place like this?
Karva: Hahaha... Funny story, actually. I was on a mission I accepted from some other treasure hunters and was busy trying to avoid traps in the ruins...
Karva: And the next thing I knew, my clients had disappeared and stranded me here—without even paying me!
Vyrn: Whoa... That's awful...
Karva: So I decided to hitchhike. I'm sure glad you noticed my distress signal.
Karva: This sort of thing actually happens a lot. I'll have to complain to the arbitrator when I get back.
Vyrn: Yikes... You oughta be more careful about who you do business with.
Karva: Maybe... Oh, I'm Karva by the way! Since you're giving me a lift, I guess it's only right to introduce myself!
Thus the crew returns to the Grandcypher with Karva in tow.
Vyrn: You sure are in a good mood for somebody who got ripped off. I know you said you're used to it, but still...
Karva: Oh? Hehehe... You noticed? The truth is, I found a little something...
Karva laughs smugly and produces a grime-covered figurine from a pouch.
Vyrn: What's that supposed to be? Looks like some dirty trinket to me. And it's ugly too.
Karva: Hehehe... I thought something like this might happen, so I swiped the best thing there was.
Katalina: Hmm... The design is pretty intricate, but it doesn't look valuable to me.
Karva: Tsk, tsk. Don't be fooled by the appearance. If you polish it like this... Check it out!
She rubs the figurine against her clothing and then holds it out to show them.
The crew is surprised to see a golden sparkle revealed from beneath the grime.
Lyria: Wow! It's so sparkly!
Katalina: What! Is that thing made completely out of gold?
Karva: I'd say so, based on the weight. It's actually pretty valuable.
Karva: The other treasure hunters hardly glanced at it since it was dirty. What a bunch of amateurs!
Karva: Let's go sell it together when we get to town. As a reward for rescuing me, I'll split the profits with you guys fifty-fifty!
Katalina: What? But picking you up was hardly an issue...
Karva: Hehehe... Nonsense! I insist!
As the Grandcypher makes its way toward a nearby town, Karva and the crew engage in lively conversation.
Karva: No way! The Island of the Astrals?
Vyrn: Yep! (Captain)'s father sent a letter from there.
Karva: Wow... I can hardly believe my ears. Are you telling me there are seriously people crazy enough to try to get there?
Vyrn: Hey! What's that supposed to mean!
Karva: Hold on, you've got me all wrong! I think it sounds fascinating! We're talking about incredible treasures and a super advanced civilization, right?
Vyrn: Well... We don't actually know if that stuff's true...
Karva bombards the crew with questions about the Island of the Astrals.
She soon realizes that the crew is serious about traveling there.
Karva: Hehe... As a treasure hunter, how could I not be excited? Especially with people trying to get to the Island of the Astrals right in front of me!
Karva: Take me with you! If you're going there, you must be interested in investigating the ruins left behind by the Astrals, right?
Karva: I've had my fill of ordinary ruins. And I'm interested in the treasures waiting to be found on the Island of the Astrals.
Vyrn: Hmm... I guess we don't really have a lot of treasure hunters on board...
Karva: I'll try not to be a burden! I'll help you guys safely get treasures from sky ruins!
Karva: I'm a topflight treasure hunter, especially when it comes to knowledge and skills for avoiding traps! We can split any treasure we find! What do you say?
- I don't mind if we make money.
- This has to be a trap.
Choose: I don't mind if we make money.Katalina: Hmm... We certainly could use another source of revenue.
Karva: Hehehe... It's decided then! We'll divide any treasure equally!
Katalina: But aren't you a treasure hunter? I would have expected you to be more greedy.
Karva: Really?
Vyrn: Katalina's got a point. Isn't it kinda weird to talk about splitting treasures with people you barely know?
Karva: Well... Treasure isn't the only thing I'm after.
Vyrn: Huh? What else do you want?
Karva: Do I really have to explain? Do mountaineers need a reason for climbing mountains?
Lyria: Um... Mountain climbers? I'm not really sure what you mean...
Karva: Hehehe... Let's not sweat the details! I just love exploring ruins! You can count on me to handle any traps!
Choose: This has to be a trap.Vyrn: Yeah... This sounds a little too good to be true...
Karva: Hey! Just because I like getting caught in traps, that doesn't mean I like entrapping people.
Vyrn: I'm not sure how I feel about people who like gettin' caught in traps either...
Karva: I want to see Astral ruins! And the Island of the Astrals!
Karva: Come on, please! I crave excitement!
After listening to Karva go on at length about her love for ruins, (Captain) finally gives in and lets her join the crew.
Karva: Woohoo! Hehehe! Thank you, (Captain)!
Karva: When it comes to ruins, leave everything to me! Especially those pesky traps!
Continue 1Karva: I'm psyched! I've never raided Astral ruins before... This is going to be a blast!
Katalina: By the way... do you only deal with ruins?
Karva: Of course! Something like, say, a shipwreck with no traps whatsoever is boring!
Lyria: Um... I see... That's pretty unusual.
Vyrn: Good grief... What a weirdo.
Thus the treasure hunter Karva joins (Captain) and company on their journey.
She believes that wherever there's a trap, there's treasure. Her flair for treasure hunting will prove to be a great asset to the crew.
It's Just Not That Exciting
The crew receives a request from the Knickknack Shack to rescue a man who has gone missing in some ruins. But the ruins specialist Karva doesn't seem very motivated to participate, so (Captain) and company end up dragging her there.
Karva: Augh... Ugh...
Vyrn: Whoa, you sure don't seem like your usual self. What's up?
Karva responds by putting her head down on the table.
While on the way to the Knickknack Shack, the crew encounters an unexpected holdup.
Karva: Well... I mean... I'm going through a lot here.
Vyrn: Okay. Go on...
Karva: It's just, all this treasure hunting is getting... meh.
Vyrn: Huh? Whaddya mean? You're findin' all those treasures and makin' pretty good money off 'em.
Katalina: Vyrn's right. You've helped out quite a bit since you joined us.
Karva: No... That's not what I mean. There are some holes that all the treasures in the world can't fill.
Katalina: I see... Could you be more specif—
Vyrn: Hey! We're supposed to be at the Knickknack Shack right now! Let's get goin'!
Karva: Nah... I don't feel like it. You guys go without me.
Vyrn: Don't give me that! We can't even start this mission without you!
The crew arrives at the Knickknack Shack, dragging the cranky Karva along.
Sierokarte: Hello, everyone! I've been waiting for you!
Katalina: So what's this mission you have for us?
Sierokarte: Well... A treasure hunter who left for some ruins a few days ago apparently hasn't returned.
Sierokarte: So his family has requested a search.
Katalina: Hmm... That does seem like something we'd need Karva for.
Sierokarte: Yep... I hear the ruins are quite dangerous.
Karva: If you say so. I guess I could go take a look at least.
Vyrn: You talk like we're goin' to check out an open house or somethin'...
Sierokarte: Hehehe. Even the locals are scared to go near those ruins, so I'm sure you can expect some nice treasures. Exciting, right?
Karva: Whatever... I so don't feel up to this.
Vyrn: Come on, you're a treasure hunter, right? Aren't you supposed to be all hyped up to see the place?
Karva: My hype train seems to have gone off the rails. But I guess if it's work, I have to do it.
Vyrn: Sheesh... I've got a bad feelin' about this...
Vyrn: Anyway! Guess we can't really count on Karva right now, but let's head to those ruins!
Karva: Okay...
It's Just Not That Exciting: Scene 2
Thanks to the listless Karva's advice, the crew soon finds the missing treasure hunter. But he says escaping won't be so easy because the place is littered with traps designed to keep people from leaving. Karva seems excited to hear this and barrels off in search of them.
Even after reaching the ruins, Karva still seems out of it.
(Captain) and company search the ruins, literally dragging her along since she has lost all motivation to walk.
Karva: Uh... Don't go that way... There are usually monsters in places like that.
Karva: And I see some recent tracks... Maybe the person you're looking for is over there.
Vyrn: Hey! Thanks for guidin' us and all, but can't you walk on your own?
Karva: Nah... I don't feel like moving...
Karva somehow manages to point the crew in the right direction even as she's dragged along. Eventually they encounter a young man.
Young Man: Huh? What are you doing in a place like this?
Vyrn: Oh! Are you the guy we're lookin' for?
(Captain) and the crew talk to the man and learn that he is in fact the missing treasure hunter.
Young Man: I see... So you came to find me? What a relief!
Karva: Whoopee. Mission accomplished. I guess my work's done here.
Young Man: Well... It's actually not that simple.
Vyrn: Huh? Why's that?
Young Man: You see... These ruins are very easy to get into, but they're designed so you can't get out.
Young Man: The traps are apparently constructed to trigger when people try to leave.
Karva: Oh? Tell me more!
Vyrn: Huh? Why the sudden energy burst?
The young man begins to explain why he couldn't escape, and Karva returns to her usual self as she listens.
Karva: Interesting. Traps that even a pro like me couldn't find? How exciting!
Karva: But now that you mention it, I should have noticed. There's definitely danger lurking in the air.
Karva: Hehe... Hahaha! I feel it! The tingle of danger is tickling my horns!
Katalina: W-wait, Karva! What do you plan to do?
Karva: For now, let's just try heading back and see what happens.
Young Man: Wha? But that's dangerous! I've seen my life flash before my eyes enough times already...
Karva: Hehehe... We can tackle problems as they arise. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?
Vyrn: What the... Hey! Don't leave us behind!
It's Just Not That Exciting: Scene 3
Karva joyfully leads the way through various traps, and the crew manages to escape the ruins. The crew is surprised by her change of heart, but the self-proclaimed adrenaline junkie explains that she just needed some traps to liven up her life.
Karva: Teehee... Lah-dee-dah!
Vyrn: Whoa! That was close! An arrow just shot at me! Be careful, (Captain)!
Karva: Whee! This is so much fun! If you'd been just a step off, your head would've been split in half! Hahaha!
Her attitude completely different from earlier, Karva beams brightly as she hums and steps over the many traps.
She leads the crew deeper into the ruins, as though trying to challenge every single trap. Escaping doesn't seem to be her priority.
Vyrn: Hey! Why are you settin' off traps we don't even have to go through?
Karva: Oh... Haha. Sorry about that. I'll admit, I'm an adrenaline junkie. I have to have a steady supply of thrills, or my energy level plummets.
Karva: Speaking of which... Wasn't it a rush when that arrow barely missed you? I can't get enough of that sensation!
Karva: Just finding treasure is no fun at all! You need thrills like this!
Young Man: Wow! Amazing. As a fellow treasure hunter, that attitude is definitely something I can learn from.
Vyrn: Uh... I wouldn't suggest it. I don't think imitatin' her is exactly good for your health.
Thus the crew returns to the Knickknack Shack quite a bit later than expected.
Sierokarte: Oh! Look who's back! Glad to see you all!
Vyrn: You should've seen this gal! She wanted to explore every nook and cranny of the ruins just to see the traps!
Karva: Hehehe... I guess I got a little overexcited back there.
Young Man: You really were amazing though. Perhaps you could take me under your wing?
Woman: Honey! Are you hurt?
Vyrn: Uh... Who's this lady?
Sierokarte: Your client, of course!
Woman: Thank you so much, everyone. I have your reward right here. Please accept it.
Karva: Uh... Hehehe. Normally I would, but I dragged your husband around way too long, and it's already night...
Karva: I put him in danger too, so I don't think I can accept any reward. Hehehe.
Woman: Really?
Karva: If you ever need us again, just ask! Bye now!
Vyrn: Hey! Wait up! Where are you goin'?
The crew quickly bids farewell to the client and runs after Karva, who has already left the shop.
Vyrn: Hey! Why'd you tell her you didn't need the reward? What were you thinkin'?
Karva: Hehehe... About that...
Karva takes a wrapped object out of her pocket and opens it to show the crew.
Vyrn: Whoa! Is that a gem? When did you get your hands on that?
Karva: I swiped it while we were running through the ruins. Hehehe...
Vyrn: Yeesh... Talk about sneaky.
Karva: I know I was all excited and racing around, but then I sensed something suspicious, you know?
Karva: And then I found this priceless thing. I bet you can see why it was hard to accept a reward when I already had something like this.
Katalina: You really are a smooth one.
Karva: Treasures are wonderful because traps come with them.
Karva: And the more dangerous the trap, the more amazing the treasure. What could be more thrilling?
Vyrn: Um... I think I kinda get it, but not really...
Karva: Oh man, I'm so glad I went with you, (Captain)! Thanks to you, I got to see those incredible ruins!
Karva: I can't wait to see the Island of the Astrals! And the traps that the Astrals set up! And any trap that might still be on the island!
Vyrn: I'm... just going to stop talking...
(Captain) and company aren't quite sure what to make of Karva's addiction to thrills.
But since her addiction guides them to one treasure after another, they can't exactly complain.