Part 7: Why Are You All Looking at Me Like That?
Chapter 7: Why Are You All Looking at me Like That?
Last time, we had found the diary and equipment of Taidgh, the magician, and imbibed a magic potion that would theoretically allow us to disguise ourselves as Selena.
Let's see if it worked...
Holy shit! It did work.
People will now be convinced that Diermot is Selena, and respond to him as such.
Let's try it out on Luthern.
Diermot: I am not Selena! This is the effect of Taidgh's potion!
Rescuing your girlfriend, Luthern. Remember?
Diermot's disguise isn't going to do him any good if he just blurts out who he is. You'll have to watch that, Diermot.
You'll notice that Ratpouch has vanished here. As soon as you drink the potion, he scarpers back to the sewer outlet to hide.
Oh, Ratty. He's no use to us while we're disguised, so we'll leave him to his hiding.
We have such power at our disposal, disguised as we are. Let's abuse that power and have a little fun.
We'll start with
Ewan obviously doesn't recognise Selena. Not surprising, given his mental problems.
Diermot: No, thank you - I'm just looking.
Gwyn waits impatiently.
Ewan: Jokes? Me? I don't know what you mean.
Gwyn: Have you got a cucumber or not?
Ewan: Here you are, a real beauty!
Gwyn is very easily offended. Especially by Ewan, it seems.
Let's have a chat with her as Selena, see how she takes that.
Gwyn: And what do you think you're doing, bringing those Skorl things to Turnvale? I just don't know what the world is coming to!
Aren't people supposed to be scared of me? What's going on here?
Heading over to the Magpie might yield better results.
Stopping to talk to Grub on the way.
It's a good thing there are no Skorl around to hear you, eh Grub?
Diermot: Only 'almost' exactly like her?
That's the second allusion to a potential penis joke in this update.
Inside, we talk to Morkus...
Diermot: You are disgusting, Morkus. I feel nothing but contempt for you.
Diermot is clearly enjoying being Selena. More importantly, Morkus gave a boy to Selena in return for tax exemption? This becomes pretty important later on.
We can now talk to the Skorl patrolman. We learn a lot by talking to characters as Selena, this is where most of the plot is filled in. It's very easy to miss this, because the game makes you think you're on a time limit and you know exactly what you need to do to progress.
Skorl: All quiet, oh succulent one! These people are a waste of time. I thought there'd be biting and gouging.
Diermot: Do not harm the people of this town, Skorl. They have suffered enough.
Diermot: Silence! I will not tolerate this impertinence! Remember - I have mastery over magic!
Insubordination in the Skorl ranks? Very intriguing.
Nellie doesn't have much interesting to say.
Another drink? That makes five, we're well over the limit.
Catriona has nothing useful to add either, she is useful later on though.
Diermot: Er, no. Don't mind me - pretend I'm not here.
Catriona: Bah! Another snooper from the town council!
Off to the Severed Arms to see our good buddies, Edwina and Ultar.
Diermot: I've had a few surprises myself today!
Edwina: You want to watch yourself. There's a stranger in the village and he means trouble.
Diermot: Hmm. Tell me more!
Edwina: He's young, strong, and he has a way about him which makes me think he's not the simple peasant he pretends to be.
Edwina is leaking information to Selena and the Skorl. We'd better watch what we say to her.
Gereint next.
Diermot: Be silent! I don't like you, Gereint!
Gereint: I beg your pardon, my lady!
Diermot: Stop being rude to your customers!
Yeah! Fuck you, Gereint!
I wonder what Ultar will make of my new look?
Diermot: No, I haven't, honestly!
Ultar: Go ahead, make my day!
Well, at least he didn't kill me. Ultar kind of reminds me of Gary Busey.
This is obviously where we need to be, and we're here now. So let's talk our way past the guard. Shouldn't be too hard.
Skorl: Yes, mistress. The 'uman Morkus told us where to find her, and she's waitin' for ya.
Morkus, you bastard!
THE TOWN HALL. The magnificence of the room is still awe-inspiring, despite the mess the Skorl have made of the fine carpet and polished wooden panelling.
That must be Goewin. Our goal is in sight.
She is slim, with pale skin and corn coloured hair. Her face would be beautiful, but her eyes seem veiled with sadness, her mouth set as though unwilling to smile.
Let's have a look at the two Skorl guards. The one on the right:
The Skorl's lips are twisted in a grimace which manages to convey not only his savage, bestial temper but also his terminal boredom with such mundane duties.
And on the left:
The Skorl has a vacant expression suggesting a particularly unintelligent member of his race. His eyes are crossed, focused on the end of his snout where a dribble of snot dangles precariously.
I love the character descriptions in this game. We'd better bark our orders convincingly and get Goewin out of here.
Diermot: Release the girl! She is free to go!
Skorl: Blimey! We haven't tortured her yet! I was going to try out my new nose-hooks!
Skorl: Yes, mistress.
We may as well talk to Goewin, seeing as we've done all this for her freedom.
With the sweet, magical sound of the girl's voice ringing in your ears you begin to feel the grasp of Taidgh's enchantment waver.
Goewin's voice literally starts the spell wavering, so now we're on a timer. Let's just have a bit more fun with the Skorl before we leave.
Skorl: Wot?
Diermot: You smell like a dead goat, Skorl.
Vruka: You're too kind, mistress.
Diermot: Be silent, dog! Report to your officer at the end of your duty and tell him to cut your rations by half!
We continue onto Apothecary Lane and the spell wears off.
Good thing there were no Skorl around to see you transform, eh Diermot?
Looks like we have no choice but to see this through to the bitter end.
Join us next time, when we'll be meeting those crazy monks and finding out how we can defeat Selena once and for all.