Sample of Dialogue from Tales of the Mahabharata 1
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Sample of Dialogue from Tales of the Mahabharata This is a sample of writing that I did for the game Tales of the Mahabharata, which is a story driven JRPG that follows some of the main characters from the Hindi epic The Mahabharata. This dialogue represents a subsection of one of the many levels in the game. Matching the writing style was an interesting challenge for me, as we were trying to keep the style similar to the dialogue found in the various translations we were using as references. I also joined the project after it had already begun and later helped bring others onboard, which provided good collaborative writing experience. Tales of the Mahabharata Steam Page 1: Clearing the Road (586) Start Karna: Lord Krishna should be arriving soon to discuss peace between the Pandavas and the Kauravas. Karna: This road has been plagued by monsters lately. I should fight them all off before Krishna gets here. If the player tries to leave on the left part of the road (where they start) Karna: I must go and clear the rest of the road ahead to make sure Lord Krishna can arrive unhindered. If the player tries to leave on the right part of the road Karna: The road should be safe ahead of this point. If the player tries to go off the road and into the forest near the end of the level (a different one of these lines is used each time) Karna: I should finish clearing the road before I go deeper into the woods. Karna: I really should finish clearing the road for Lord Krishna. Karna: I don’t have time to scour this entire forest, but I must clear the road for Lord Krishna. End (When the player finishes killing all of the enemies present) Karna: There, the road should be clear for Lord Krishna. Now I must return to Hastinapura and wait for him to arrive. 2: Krishna Arrives (583) Start Time: When Krishna arrived in Hastinapura to discuss peace between the Kauravas and the Pandavas, the people of the city welcomed him warmly and asked him for his blessing. Krishna: I could go straight to the palace, but it might be nice to stop at Vidur and Sulabha’s house first. If I remember correctly, they live down the path to the right of the palace. Villager 1 Dialogue Villager: Lord Krishna! Please, will you bless me and my family? Krishna: Of course. May you all be healthy and happy in the coming years. Villager: Thank you for your kindness, Lord Krishna. Villager 2 Dialogue Young Villager: Please Lord Krishna, tell me that you’ve come to Hastinapura to announce that the Pandavas will be returning soon. Krishna: You wish for the Pandavas to return? Why? Young Villager: They are righteous, and that righteousness spreads to the lands they inhabit. Krishna: You are wise for one so young. May you live a long and happy life, and may you see the Pandavas return Young Villager: Thank you Lord Krishna, your compliments and blessings are worth more than gold. Villager 3 Dialogue Villager: Please Lord Krishna, I wish to ask you a question. Krishna: Of course you may. Villager: Do you think there will be war? I have heard that it is very likely, and it frightens me. Krishna: Do not be afraid. I promise you that whatever happens, Dharma will always triumph. Villager: Thank you for your encouragement Lord Krishna. I will trust in your wisdom. Villager 4 Dialogue Young Villager: Lord Krishna! Please, will you give me your blessing? Krishna: Certainly young man, may your days be long and happy. Although if you follow Dharma, you won’t need my blessing for that to occur. Young Villager: I will not forget your wise words. Thank you Lord Krishna. Villager 5 Dialogue Villager: Thank you for coming Lord Krishna, you’ve brought much joy to Hastinapura. Krishna: I am filled with joy to once again be here. May that joy last. Villager 6 Dialogue Famer: Lord Krishna! Will you please give me your blessing? Krishna: Certainly. How are your crops this year? Farmer: My crops have been growing strong, it has been a good year. Krishna: May they continue to flourish, and may your harvest always be bountiful. Farmer: Thank you Lord Krishna. Villager 7 Dialogue Elderly Villager: Praise be! I’ve lived to see Krishna return to Hastinapura. Krishna: It has been too long, but I too am glad to return. May Hastinapura and its inhabitants always prosper. Villager 8 Dialogue Elderly Villager: Lord Krishna, I’m glad you’ve come, especially for the sake of the younger generation. Krishna: You are kind to care for them so. May they learn from your example. Elderly Villager: You are too kind, Lord Krishna. Villager 9 Dialogue Young Villager: Lord Krishna! I can’t decide if I’ll be happier if I stay in this town, or if I travel elsewhere. Please, lend me your wisdom. Krishna: As long as you live in line with Dharma you will live a fulfilling life, no matter which you decide. Young Villager: Lord Krishna, I thank you for your wise advice. I shall not forget it. Villager 10 Dialogue Villager: It is an honor to speak with you Lord Krishna! We are blessed by your presence. Krishna: It warms my heart to feel your affection. May you also feel such love. Villager: Thank you Lord Krishna. If the player speaks with all 10 villagers Krishna: I believe I have seen to all the villagers seeking my blessing. If the player speaks to a villager again after giving them his blessing [Young/Elderly] Villager: Thank you for your blessing Lord Krishna! If the player stops by Vidur and Sulabha’s house and speaks with Sulabha Krishna: Hello Sulabha, how have you and Vidur been? I was hoping you had just a bit of food, I am a bit hungry after my travels. Sulabha: Lord Krishna! Oh what an honor, I’m so glad you’ve come to Hastinapura. Your presence blesses us all. Sulabha: Vidur’s not home right now, but... Sulabha: But you said you were hungry, and here I am babbling… I’ll find you something to eat right away! Sulabha goes inside for a moment Sulabha: All I have right now are bananas, I hope that they will be enough. I just have to peel them. Time: In her haste to provide food for Krishna, Sulabha gave the banana peels to Krishna and discarded the rest. Time: Nevertheless, Krishna ate the peels and enjoyed them, as they were given with such sincere devotion. Krishna: I thank you for the food you have so lovingly provided. This is exactly what I needed, thank you. Sulabha: Thank you for coming here Lord Krishna. If you’re still looking for my husband Vidur, I believe he is in the palace. Krishna: Excellent, I’ll head there now. Krishna begins walking toward the palace Krishna: I’m glad I stopped by Vidur’s house. His wife Sulabha is among the kindest souls I have met. If the player speaks again with Sulabha Sulabha: Thank you for coming here Lord Krishna. If you’re still looking for my husband Vidur, I believe he is in the palace. If the player has spoken with Sulabha and all 10 villagers Krishna: I’ve visited Vidur and Sulabha’s house and blessed the villagers. I think it’s time I head to the palace. 3: Initial Greeting (584) Start Vidur: Lord Krishna! Welcome to Hastinapura. My heart is warmed by your presence. Krishna: You honor me, Prime Minister Vidur. Dhritarashtra: Messenger of peace, we thank you for coming. Dhritarashtra: You must be tired from the road. Dushasana? Dushasana: Yes father? Dhritarashtra: Take Lord Krishna to your palace to eat lunch and rest. Then we shall have the peace talks. Duryodhana: Father, I would like to take Krishna with me to eat lunch. Afterward he can go to Dushasana’s palace. Krishna: No. Food can only be partaken at a host’s house or at a friend’s house. Krishna: You are neither my host, nor my friend. Instead, I will go to Vidur’s house. Dhritarashtra: As you wish, Lord Krishna. Krishna: If you would lead the way Vidur… Vidur: Of course, follow me. Vidur and Krishna leave Duryodhana: Bah! His arrogance is insulting! And his coming here is pointless, the war between us and the Pandavas is inevitable. Dushasana: I agree with you brother! He is almost as insufferable as the Pandavas themselves. Shakuni: At least hear what he has to say at the peace talks Duryodhana. Bhishma: Yes! Lord Krishna is here because he desires peace, not because the Pandavas do. Bhishma: If that fails, however, he will still ensure the Pandavas are able to return to their kingdom. Duryodhana: I will not let him stop me from becoming emperor! I will even imprison him if I must! Dhritarashtra: Duryodhana please, you must not! Even if you forget who Lord Krishna is, remember that he is a messenger of peace, and our guest. Kripacharya: Please Duryodhana, see reason. Duryodhana: I will not be swayed! Bhishma: You will invite disaster with your foolishness Duryodhana! Bhishma: King Dhritarashtra, I cannot stand here and listen to your son any longer. Bhishma exits and the scene ends 4: Talking With Vidur (585) Start Vidur: If you have rested and eaten enough, I can take you back to the palace to begin the peace talks. Krishna: Yes, I am ready. Lead the way. Begin walking back Krishna: Thank you for your hospitality Vidur.