Scenario:Macula Marius - A Frigid Enforcer
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
A Frigid Enforcer
(Captain) and the crew receive an urgent request to investigate incidents of people turning into ice. The being responsible is a primal beast named Macula Marius, acting in retribution for the destruction of nature. However, Lyria realizes that it also pains her to take such action against the skydwellers. Touched by their warmth, Macula Marius decides to join the crew and overlook the actions of the townspeople for now.
???: Your skin is as soft as a fresh winter's snow... And so pleasing to poke, hehe.
Lyria: Hehe... That tickles, Marius!
Macula Marius: Was that not to your liking? Very well... More gentle head pats for you then, Lyria. Don't be shy now.
Macula Marius: Hehehe... Don't worry, (Captain). You will have your turn as well. Now come here.
Macula Marius: I want to feel your heart closer to me—a heart so warm, it could melt even the coldest ice.
Vyrn: Uhh...
One day, Vyrn wakes up a little later than usual and groggily makes his way to the Grandcypher's main hall.
There, to his befuddlement, he finds a woman who appears to be a primal beast acting particularly chummy with (Captain) and Lyria.
Vyrn: Hey, uh... So who's this lady? Sure looks like you guys are havin' a good time.
Lyria: Morning, Vyrn! This is Marius. Actually, let me tell you about last night...
(Captain) and Lyria recall the events of the previous night, when they first encountered Marius.
A few days prior, the Grandcypher received an urgent request to investigate strange incidents that have been occuring throughout the Phantagrande Skydom.
Specifically, incidents of skydwellers turning into solid ice without any warning or trace of a struggle.
Through much investigation, (Captain) and the crew came to the conclusion that a magic user of some sort was probably to blame.
They noticed a pattern: once an island was affected, the incidents would soon spread to nearby islands.
With this knowledge, they make their way to the island nearest to the location of the last incident.
Lyria: Oh, thank goodness... It doesn't look like anyone here's been affected yet.
Vyrn: We can't let our guard down just yet! The culprit might already be here, hiding among us.
Lyria: Y-you're right... We need to stay on the lookout!
Bracing themselves for danger, (Captain) and the others begin looking around for any suspicious-looking characters.
However, the search goes nowhere. The crew decides to take a breather outside of town.
Vyrn: Oof... Nothing. After all that, all we found was a whole lotta construction happening on this island.
Lyria: Let's try looking again once we've rested a bit.
Lyria: Now that you mention it, there isn't a lot of nature to be seen here...
Lyria: The lakes are murky, and the trees are almost all cut down. It's kind of sad...
As Lyria utters these words, (Captain) feels the temperature drop.
???: (Ah... So you kindhearted souls understand.)
Lyria: H-huh? I thought I heard someone just now...
The crew looks around for the source of the voice, but aren't able to find anyone.
Despite their best efforts, (Captain) and company return to the Grandcypher unsuccessful.
Lyria: Nothing happened, and we weren't able to find anyone suspicious-looking in the end either...
Vyrn: Well, we gave it our all—and it's better that nothing bad happened anyway. Let's just try our best again tomorrow... Yawn...
Vyrn: I dunno about you guys, but I'm feelin' kinda cold... Time to hit the sack.
Lyria: Good idea. Let's get some rest too, (Captain).
Lyria and (Captain) start making their way to the sleeping cabins, when suddenly...
Lyria: W-wait! This aura... A primal beast? Let's go, (Captain)!
(Captain) quickly nods in agreement, and the two begin following the trail of the primal beast.
The trail takes them back to town, but there they find that the citizens have been frozen solid.
Lyria: N-no! Everyone's been frozen...
Lyria: Huh? Wait a second...
???: So... You were still here, it seems.
Lyria hears the voice once again while inspecting the citizens and faces the direction it came from.
Lyria: That voice... It's the same one I heard earlier calling us kind...
Lyria: You... You're the one causing the ice, aren't you?
Lyria: But why would you do something like this?
???: I am merely serving my purpose.
Lyria: Your purpose?
Macula Marius: I am called Macula Marius. I serve only Mother Nature—protecting her glory and bringing retribution to those who would sully her beauty.
Macula Marius: The skydwellers here have abused the privilege granted to them to coexist with nature. I merely dealt retributive justice.
Macula Marius: And you, foolish ones, are also complicit. Now you must face judgment for your actions.
Choose: We've gotta take her on!
Lyria: Wait a second, (Captain)!
Macula Marius: What is it now?
Choose: Is that what you really want to do?
Macula Marius: What did you say?
Continue 1
Lyria: Marius... You didn't really freeze the townspeople here, did you?
Macula Marius: ...!
Lyria: At first glance, they all appear frozen... But I can still feel the warmth of life within. I think they're just sleeping.
Macula Marius: ...
Lyria: Not only that, I can feel it... You've been struggling too.
Lyria: Maybe... Maybe you didn't want to do anything like this in the first place.
Macula Marius: ...!
Marius puts down her staff. As she looks down, the fearsome air she put on moments earlier seems to melt away.
Macula Marius: Of course I didn't... These skydwellers are also a part of Mother Nature herself. How could I want to punish them?
Macula Marius: Especially kindhearted souls such as yourselves—souls who clearly care for nature.
Macula Marius: However, if I were to leave them to their ways, the skydwellers would have destroyed what little nature remained here.
Macula Marius: The only way was to bring retribution upon them—even if it meant punishing something I loved.
Lyria: Marius...
Lyria: Um, this might be a big favor to ask of you now, but... could you wait a little longer before punishing the townspeople here?
Macula Marius: What?
Lyria: Not all of us are responsible for the damage done... There are plenty of us who love nature too!
Lyria: We'll do everything we can to protect the natural life here, too!
Lyria: And I... I don't want you to suffer any longer either, Marius.
Macula Marius: Even as I threaten you all with judgment, you worry for my suffering.
Macula Marius: You truly are kindhearted souls... Such warmth could even melt a heart of ice.
Macula Marius: Very well. But I won't wait for long.
Without another word, Marius releases the citizens from her icy stranglehold and disappears without a trace.
Vyrn: Huh... So that's what happened while I was out.
Vyrn: But still, uh, that doesn't explain what's going on right here.
Macula Marius: Hehehe... I have decided to overlook their transgressions for now. Rather, taking a journey together across the skies is a much more natural solution, yes?
Vyrn: Yeah, I mean... That's fine too, but... Since when did you guys become all buddy-buddy with each other?
Macula Marius: Hehehe...
Marius laughs softly and ruffles (Captain)'s and Lyria's hair affectionately.
Macula Marius: You are all part of nature, which I have sworn to love and protect. It's only fitting that I share that love with you as well.
Macula Marius: So don't be shy... Come here and let me give you some head pats.
Vyrn: Haha... Welp. Looks like we've got ourselves another character in our crew, huh.
Vyrn somewhat reluctantly receives his head pats.
Electing to skirt her duties for the time being, Marius joins the Grandcypher as a new member of (Captain)'s crew.