i
Flic scripts
by Ted Halsted and Seth Johnson
First Draft, May 15, 2000 Second Draft June 2, 2000 (Printed April 19, 2004)
Halsted/Johnson · Page 1 · Rune Scripts 4/19/04
PRONUNCIATION GUIDE
Word :: Pronunciation
Alric :: All-RICK Atli :: AT-lee Bragi :: Conrack :: Con-RACK Fimbulwinter :: Hel :: Hell Hyndall :: HIN-doll Jarl :: JARl Kopperud :: Copper-RUDE Loki :: Low-KEY Midgard :: MID-gard Mjolnir :: Ragnar :: RAG-nar Ragnarok :: RAG-na-ROCK Sigard :: SIG-ard Sleipnir :: Thorstadt ::Thor-STADHT Utherby :: OOther-bee Valhalla :: Val-HALL-ah Valkyries :: VAL-kier-ees Wendol :: VEN-del Wolfgar:: Wolf-GAR Wotankeld :: WOtin-KELD
Halsted/Johnson · Page 2 · Rune Scripts 4/19/04
SCRIPT 1 OPENING NARRATION
Characters: Narrator. Setting: The Circle of Odin, Wotankeld--Night Speaking Characters: Narrator
The Narrator--Description: An older man, with a storyteller's voice. He should be strong and subtle (not over the top). His voice will set the tone for the story, so it is important that he now sound superficial or melodramatic.
Midnight in the Circle of Odin at the center of Ragnar’s village, Wotankeld (“Odin’s Well”). The Runestone of Odin is surrounded by a circle of smaller runestones, each depicting visual scenes from the narration framed between vertical lines of runes. Near the ground, the camera tracks around the outside of this circle to view these smaller stones as the dialogue progresses, each illuminated by small fires burning at their bases. As the narration ends we push between the final stones and tilt up the enormous glowing Runestone of Odin at the center, stars visible beyond the peaks in the background.
NARRATOR
From birth the Children of the North hear tales of the end of the world.
Ragnarok.
When wolves will swallow the sun and the moon. When the stars will be snuffed and the earth will tremble. When the gods will face the tribes of giants in a final battle that will ravage all the Nine Worlds.
Allfather of the gods, Odin has always smiled upon the human race. To the most devout of his followers he entrusts stones inscribed with his personal Rune, a mark of his power in the human world of Midgard. These Runestones are protected by only the most valiant of human warriors, until the day they are taken by the Valkyries to fight alongside Odin at Ragnarok.
Of all creatures, only one does not fear Ragnarok, the evil god Loki. Bound deep in the bowels of the earth by Odin himself, only Ragnarok will set Loki free to have his revenge on gods and man alike.
And it is only the power on Midgard of Odin and his Runestones that holds Ragnarok at bay . . .
For a moment we hold on the Runestone of Odin, glowing in the darkness. Suddenly there is a flash of white. When it fades, the sun hangs above the peaks. The glow of the Runestone has vanished in the bright afternoon sun and the smaller stones hold only runes; the magic of the night has passed. This leads directly into Script 2.
Halsted/Johnson · Page 3 · Rune Scripts 4/19/04
SCRIPT 2 INITIATION MONOLOGUE:
The camera pans down the Runestone and pulls back for a high crane shot of the Circle of Stones. The island is now crowded with miscellaneous villagers and the below characters. (This is done by having identical maps side by side.) Ragnar is down on one knee before the village elder
Characters: Ragnar, Village Elder, Jarl, assorted Vikings. Setting: Same as above; same load, identical map on the side Speaking Characters: Village Elder
The village elder is the high priest of Odin in Wotankeld and one of the oldest men in the village.
VILLAGE ELDER
People of Wotankeld, we gather this day to honor one from our midst. Younger than any ever so honored, he is yet wise and strong beyond his years. He has carried shields in the battles at Hyndall and Utherby, and aided in the fortification of this village following the dark tales we have heard from the northlands. Through trial by single combat, he has proven today that he is ready to take a place among the warriors of this village. Ragnar, son of Jarl, kneel here before the Runestone of Odin and hear me. You must now put aside all childish things. Swear yourself to protect this stone and the village that surrounds and upholds it. Swear to stand beside your swordbrothers until death to defend this holy shrine of the Allfather. Raise now your sword and take up the glorious duties of the Odinsblade.
Ragnar stands and raises his sword. The assembled warriors and villagers cheer and gesture.
Halsted/Johnson · Page 4 · Rune Scripts 4/19/04
SCRIPT 3 VILLAGE EXPLORATION SEQUENCE:
Characters: Sven, Wolfgar, Ulf, Alric, Jarl (Ragnar’s father), Ragnar Setting: Throughout the village of Hrothberg; The player will be able to access • a roundhouse, • the village’s stave church, • the common grounds, • the beach with a longship, and • the village longhouse. • See also Gameplay Notes Speaking Characters: Sven, Sigard, Ulf, Alric, Jarl. • Wolfgar is at the beach by the longship. • Sigard is in the commons. • Jarl is in one of the accessible houses. • Alric is in the commons or elsewhere in the village at discretion • The Village Elder is in the Stave Church. • Ulf the weaponsmaster is found in the longhouse.
Gameplay: The player will be able to explore the above areas. The player will interact with several NPCs who will congratulate Ragnar and make various suggestions that he go to the longhouse for his combat training. The NPCs will also make comments regarding impending danger and danger rumors. Once Ragnar enters the longhouse, Ulf the Combat Trainer NPC will take over and begin Ragnar’s weapons training routine. NOTE: we can of course use multiples to make the village seem more populated, though only one will speak. Let’s just not put two Alrics next to each other in the same area, of course.
Wolfgar (at the beach by the longship): Wolfgar is a grizzled warrior more at home under the woolen sails of a longship than the thatched straw of a longhouse. He waits on the beach overseeing the loading of the village’s longship, Sleipnir.
WOLFGAR—DIALOGUE ONE
Ragnar! How are you, boy? Ah, I forget myself—a warrior and a man now, aren’t you? Congratulations, warrior!
WOLFGAR—DIALOGUE TWO
If you see any rope on your way to the longhouse, be sure to bring it down. We need to keep the ship well-provisioned.
WOLFGAR—DIALOGUE THREE
Lend me your aid later, warrior. The swordmaster awaits you in the longhouse.
WOLFGAR—DIALOGUE FOUR
One does not keep Ulf waiting unless one would like another scar. . .
Halsted/Johnson · Page 5 · Rune Scripts 4/19/04
Sigard: (at the commons) Sigard is the warrior bested by Ragnar in the single combat mentioned by the village elder, and he remains bitter. He is also a soon-to-be-revealed traitor among the warriors of Hrothberg.
SIGARD—DIALOGUE ONE
Apparently the weaponsmaster doesn’t share the village’s high opinion, boy. He waits to test your skills in the longhouse.
SIGARD—DIALOGUE TWO
You may have bested me in single combat, but we will cross swords again one day—and them we’ll see if your skills are all the elders think they are . . .
SIGARD—DIALOGUE THREE
Do you seek your courage, boy? If you don’t feel ready to face Ulf, perhaps you’ll meet me behind the stables. I promise to tell no-one who lopped off your sword-hand.
SIGARD—DIALOGUE FOUR
Stop running about like a frightened lamb and get to the longhouse!
Jarl (in the roundhouse) Jarl is the chieftan of the village, Ragnar’s father, and the commander of Wotankeld’s Odinsblade.
JARL—DIALOGUE ONE
Greetings, Ragnar. I hope you feel fit and ready for your final training with Ulf. Drink mead from my table to fortify yourself, my son.
JARL—DIALOGUE TWO
You must continue your studies of the ways of war, son. Wisdom will come with experience, and you’ll have need of both in these dark times. Slaughter and destruction sweeps across the land, and I fear it approaches our own village . . .
JARL—DIALOGUE THREE
Your mother and I are proud of you, my son. In time you will take my place and sit in the Chieftain’s seat in the village longhouse.
Halsted/Johnson · Page 6 · Rune Scripts 4/19/04
JARL—DIALOGUE FOUR
Be on your way, son. Despite the ceremony, you must face Ulf before you can truly call yourself a warrior. He awaits you in the longhouse.
Alric (at the commons or nearby) Alric is an enthusiastic young warrior, only a few years older than Ragnar and one of his good friends.
ALRIC—DIALOGUE ONE
Ragnar! It’s fair time the village added your sword to our ranks, friend. Did Ulf. . . no, I can see you have yet to visit the weaponsmaster. Heh heh heh . . .
ALRIC—DIALOGUE TWO
An old man and a girl just came into the village, and they told us that Conrack’s men are burning the Grove of the Gods!
ALRIC—DIALOGUE THREE
Ragnar—go see Ulf at the longhouse and we’ll get a cup of mead afterwards. I swear not to laugh at your bruises.
ALRIC—DIALOGUE FOUR
Don’t let me frighten you away from the weaponsmaster, my friend. I’m certain your sword arm is strong enough to complete the training.
Village Elder (in the Stave Church)
VILLAGE ELDER—DIALOGUE ONE
Greetings, young warrior. May Odin guide your sword on the field of battle.
VILLAGE ELDER—DIALOGUE TWO
Strength of arm will not always be enough. A true warrior must keep his mind and spirit strong to face the enemies of Odin.
VILLAGE ELDER—DIALOGUE THREE
Defending the Runestone of Odin is a sacred charge, Ragnar. You are brave indeed to carry on this hallowed tradition.
VILLAGE ELDER—DIALOGUE FOUR
I am certain that you will win Odin’s favor on the battlefield, warrior. But the trial in the longhouse awaits you first.
Halsted/Johnson · Page 7 · Rune Scripts 4/19/04
SCRIPT 4 TRAINING SEQUENCE
Characters: Ulf, Ragnar Speaking: Ulf
When the player finally enters the longhouse, the door will close behind him. Ragnar will enter via a room adjacent to the training compound that will contain various weapons for him to try. He may arm himself as he sees fit. When he enters the training room, the door will close. Ulf the weaponsmaster will be waiting to “train” the player in basic combat as Ragnar undergoes his final trial before he becomes a true warrior of the Odinsblade.
ULF
Ragnar! After the many hours you’ve trained in this room, one might think you would know better than to keep me waiting. You’re good, boy, but don’t think I can’t cut a stripling down to size.
You may have bested Sigard and been named to the Odinsblade, yet the ceremony at the Runestone is nothing but words— tradition says that before you truly become a man you must face the most skilled warrior in the village. You must face me.
This is the true trial: defeat me in combat, and your place among us as a warrior is assured!
Defend yourself!
Ragnar and Ulf square off, and the following is banter as they fight.
When Ragnar gets a few shots on Ulf:
ULF—DIALOGUE 1a
(grunts as Ragnar contacts)
Well hit, boy.
ULF—DIALOGUE 1b
Muscle and spirit—a deadly combination.
ULF—DIALOGUE 1c
Come on, boy! You can hit harder than that!
ULF—DIALOGUE 1d
Well, well—where did you learn that?
When Ulf gets a few shots on Ragnar:
ULF—DIALOGUE 2a
You move like a pregnant sow, boy.
Halsted/Johnson · Page 8 · Rune Scripts 4/19/04
ULF—DIALOGUE 2b
Would you like to fail this trial? Press your attack!
ULF—DIALOGUE 2c
Alric’s mother could have avoided that blow!
ULF—DIALOGUE 2d
Perhaps you need more training. . .
EVENTUAL OUTCOME: Ragnar hits Ulf enough times to trigger his defeat and we move to the Script 5—Alarm Flic.
Halsted/Johnson · Page 9 · Rune Scripts 4/19/04
SCRIPT 5 ALARM FLIC
Characters: All village warriors, miscellaneous villagers, Ragnar Speaking: Ulf, Wolfgar
As Ragnar delivers the winning blow to Ulf, the flic takes over the scene.
ULF
Well done, warrior. The trial is over, for I can see that there is no more I can teach you. I trust experience to show you the rest.
SFX: Suddenly war horns blare in the distance, and loud shouting is heard outside the longhouse.
The exit door opens, and Wolfgar rushes in, followed by another Viking.
WOLFGAR
Messengers on the beach! Conrack has besieged Kopperud and their Runestone is under attack! We go to their aid!
They exit, and as Ragnar turns to follow:
ULF
It seems we have completed your training just in time, Ragnar. To the longship!
Ragnar steps out of the training compound and into darkness and chaos. Night has fallen during his combat trial, and warriors and villagers rush around him. There is general noise and bustle, and as we hear the blare of a war horn, the camera pulls up and away. . .and we fade to black.
Go directly to Script 6: Sailing to Kopperud
Halsted/Johnson · Page 10 · Rune Scripts 4/19/04
SCRIPT 6 SAILING TO KOPPERUD FLIC
Speaking Characters: Narrator, Jarl, Conrack, Ulf, Sigard, Loki, Alric, misc. vikings
NOTE: This narration of this flic will be over hand-drawn artwork that depicts the events described
NOTE TO ARTIST: Brace yourself. We’re going to try and cram a lot of information into just a few words and pictures here.
Over the black continued from the last script we hear
SFX: the crashing of waves on the beach, and angry gulls wheeling overhead.
(The gulls should only be heard momentarily; the surf will continue throughout this first Picture.)
Picture 1 fades up: Sails down, two score Viking warriors row a longship away from Hrothberg—we can see the beach Ragnar explored earlier in the near background.
As it fades up, the Narrator begins:
NARRATOR
The warriors of the Odinsblade sailed within the hour, twoscore vikings heaving at the oars. Were there wind the village of Kopperud would be but two hours’ sail up the fjord, yet the clouds stood still in the sky this night, and the water was strangely calm...
Picture 1 fades to Picture 2: Ragnar at lower left in a three-quarter shot facing the camera-center, his face locked in grim determination as he rows. (Perhaps we can see other Vikings—Alric?—rowing in the rows before or behind him.)
Behind Ragnar, his mind’s eye portrait of the village of Kopperud. It is named after a pit mine in the hillocks beyond it, but we see its shoreline. A collection of longhouses and other buildings spread to either side of a rocky promontory that rises forty feet above the sea, twice as high as the buildings. It is daytime, and we can clearly pick out that atop the rocky outcrop is the village’s Circle of Odin, and in its center another gigantic Runestone.
As for sound, the crashing of the waves faded with Picture 1, to be replaced here by
SFX: forty oars dipping in the water, perhaps in time to a quiet, gutteral war chant
NARRATOR
Many times Ragnar had sailed with his father to Kopperud. As he rowed in time to the war chant, he could picture the fishing village in his mind, children playing among the boats beached on the shore. High above the village rose the rocky outcropping crowned by a circle of runestones whose
Halsted/Johnson · Page 11 · Rune Scripts 4/19/04 metal inlays gleamed in the midday sun. And at its center, the enormous white Runestone of Odin, a beacon for miles around.
Picture 2 gives way to Picture 3, which is both strikingly similar and disturbingly different. Ragnar is now in the lower right and we see him from behind. Before him is the ‘skyline’ of Kopperud—but the village is silhouetted in the night against flames leaping up from the burning wrecks of longhouses and boats. The largest fires are atop the outcropping, where we can make out the shattered remains of the runestones, the Runestone of Odin cracked like a broken tooth. We might also be able to make out the small figures of Dark Vikings darting among the wreckage, and the villagers of Kopperud hanging from x-shaped crosses erected along the beach.
SFX: The chanting stops. The oars continue to dip and stroke, and in the distance we hear the crackling of flames (quietly; it will pick up in a moment), and perhaps a scream or two carrying across the water near the end of this bit of narration.
NARRATOR
A glow in the distance lit the dark clouds above, and as Kopperud came over the horizon Ragnar saw the village had already fallen to Conrack and his armies. Kopperud’s longhouses and its proud stave church burned brightly against the darkness. Boats lay broken on the beaches. Most terribly, the village’s Circle of Odin and its Runestone had been shattered, and Conrack’s dark warriors were hurling the pieces into the surf far below.
Ragnar’s father turned to the warriors of the Odinsblade.
JARL
Prepare to destroy the enemy.
Picture 3 fades, to be replaced by Picture 4: Sleipnir crashing through the surf, Jarl at the prow, one hand on the dragonshead carved into the prow and the other brandishing his axe. Sigard and Ulf have set aside their oars and gathered up weapons to protect their chieftain. Already waiting on the beach is a lone figure-- Conrack.
As the picture fades up, we hear new background sounds:
SFX: The flames crackle louder now, and the surf crashes once more. Screams are more frequent—and closer. These sounds will last throughout in the background until Picture 9.
NARRATOR
On the beach waited CONRACK DESCRIPTION
JARL
The Betrayer.
(a beat)
Sigard, Ulf—with me.
Fade directly to Picture 5: Jarl and his men stand on the edge of the surf, just out of sword’s reach from Conrack. In the background is the inferno that was Kopperud, and silhouettes of the crosses—we can
Halsted/Johnson · Page 12 · Rune Scripts 4/19/04 almost make out the horrible details. There should be some debris nearby large enough to conceal two or three Dark Vikings (see Picture 7.)
Jarl is roaring at a calm Conrack. Behind Jarl stand Ulf and Sigard. Ulf’s lips are pursed, his brow is knit, and he brandishes a sword in one hand and an axe in the other. Sigard is behind them both, his broadsword held at the ready. Perhaps we see a slight smirk. . .
SFX: As before.
JARL
Conrack! We fought side by side in many battles. Never would I have guessed that a Viking warrior could so betray every belief we served.
CONRACK
And there is your problem, old man—I will no longer be but a servant. Not to you, not to the village, not to Odin himself. I have only your Runestone left to destroy before all of Midgard will call me master.
Fade to Picture 6, Jarl flanked by Ulf and Sigard, Sleipnir fifty long yards behind them down the beach. We see Conrack from behind, and he is gesturing offhand—in Sigard’s direction, and we will see in a moment that the movement is more than casual. . .
JARL
I have forty men within an axe’s throw of your heart, Betrayer.
CONRACK
Forty men. Hmmm. I need but one to kill you. Sigard?
A flash frame or two of red before we snap to Picture 7, from the same ‘camera angle’ as Picture 6, but Sigard has stepped forward and thrust his broadsword through Jarl, the blade protruding from the startled cheiftain’s chest. Conrack remains smug and relaxed as his enemy is dispatched. If Ulf is visible, he has been ambushed by two Dark Vikings.
CONRACK
And I give your ‘forty men’ to another.
(in deep, gutteral Old Norse:)
I call on the dark one The trickster trapped below And offer these his foes To his insatiable hunger (pronunciation here)
As soon as Conrack begins chanting, we hear
SFX: The wind picks up quickly and lightning booms. Conrack’s chanting becomes deeper, more gutteral, booming, fading down as another sound fades in: hideous, mocking laughter (a mixture of Hel and Loki’s—although only Conrack might know that.) These sounds continue into the next Picture.
Halsted/Johnson · Page 13 · Rune Scripts 4/19/04 SFX: We also hear a lot of angry Viking warriors, curses and exclaimations of shock mixed together into a chaotic tummalt.
As the chanting turns to evil cackling, cut directly to Picture 8—back again to an over-Ragnar’s-shoulder POV. Ragnar is enraged at what has just transpired on the beach and is about to leap over the gunwales, Alric close behind. We can see Sigard’s silhouette standing over Jarl’s corpse, and Ulf being overpowered by Dark Vikings. Conrack has thrown his arms high as he calls on the power of the dark gods.
The sudden magical gale makes the flames consuming Kopperud appear to reach out for the longship, and the waves are rolling strangely outward from the shore.
(Note to artist: Yes, I’ve gotten entirely out of control. I give you all this detail just for a sense of scene. Do what you can, and what you will.)
Quick dissolve to Picture 9. The power of the dark gods is blowing Sleipnir out to sea, the wind shredding its woolen sails. Waves rise higher than the longship’s mast, crashing over the gunwales, tossing Vikings into the sea.
SFX: The wind howls, waves crash, and we hear the occasional “AIEeee!” from a viking launched overboard. In the background is a building roar.
ALRIC
Gods! Ragnar, look!
Cut to Picture 10. The sea has opened wide, an enormous whirlpool more than a mile across. The broken form of Sleipnir is little more than a speck riding the rim of the chasm.
SFX: The whirlpool is a hollow roar of white noise. In the dim distance we might hear Viking curses and shouts.
As Conrack speaks (see line below) we dissolve to Picture 11, coming closer as Sleipnir is broken in two and the warriors of the Odinsblade are tossed into the roiling water. Then dissolve to Picture 12, Vikings desperately trying to stay above the surface—and failing; Ragnar is in the extreme foreground.
Over everything we hear Conrack’s booming, echoing voice:
CONRACK
Hear me, ‘Defenders of Odin’, as you drown like rats. There will be no glorious warrior’s death for those who defend the Runestones. You have shamed Odin, and you will never see the halls of Valhalla. . .
As Conrack’s line ends, dissolve to Picture 13, Ragnar’s outstretched hand the last thing visible above the waves.
SFX: The wind and the whirlpool still roar and fade to silence as we
Fade to black.
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SCRIPT 7 ODIN SPEAKS TO RAGNAR AS HE REGAINS CONSCIOUSNESS
Setting: Ship1Map. Speaking Character: Odin
We remain in blackness and hear
ODIN (V.O.)
Ragnar.
(a beat)
Awaken, warrior. The time for your death is not yet at hand.
Camera opens up and level begins.
Halsted/Johnson · Page 15 · Rune Scripts 4/19/04
SCRIPT 8 ODIN FIRST SPEAKS TO RAGNAR FLIC
Setting: Deep Underground Ruins (Map Title: ODIN UNDERGROUND) Characters: Odin, Ragnar Speaking Character: Odin
Ragnar has navigated DeepUndergroundShipLevel and come to the end of OdinUnderground level.
When Ragnar enters the center of the “arena” of ruin, the flic takes over. Ragnar stands transfixed as the visage of Odin appears in the beam of light. The camera pans around slowly inside the circle of ruins as Odin speaks:
ODIN
Hear me, son of Jarl. I am Odin, and know that it is the Allfather himself who has saved you from certain death.
You seek vengance upon Conrack, and I have granted you this chance. Your journey through the underworld will be rife with danger, and you must arm yourself against the creatures that dwell within these caverns.
But when next you breathe the open air, you will stand outside the fortress defiled by the Betrayer, the city of Thorstadt.
Good journey, warrior, and do not squander this opportunity.
When Odin is finished speaking, an electrical effect arcs from his “presence” and explodes part of the cavern wall. Odin’s presence disappates, and the player can exit through that hole.
SCRIPT 9 ODIN SPEAKS TO RAGNAR--PRE-HEL Speaking Characters: Odin
Before the player enters the realm of Hel, Odin speaks to Ragnar and warns him.
ODIN
Heed me, Ragnar. Your route to vengeance leads through this, the boundaries of Hel’s domain. She will not take kindly to your presence, and as you walk among the souls of the dishonored you must defend yourself well. A moment’s weakness and you will never again walk the sunlit lands.
SCRIPT 10 HEL SPEAKS TO RAGNAR Speaking Character: Hel
Halsted/Johnson · Page 16 · Rune Scripts 4/19/04 While Ragnar is navigating her realms, Hel will be speaking to Ragnar. Trapped in her underground domain for more than a millennia, she is equal parts sultry, cunning. . .and completely mad.
As Ragnar makes his way through Hel
HEL—DIALOGUE 1A
There is a strange presence in my realm. . .a living presence. Why, it’s a mortal! A lone warrior. . .all alone. I shall send you some company, lone warrior.
HEL—DIALOGUE 1B
The living have no place in Hel’s domain, young warrior.
HEL—DIALOGUE 1C
There are many you know in my realm, warrior. Perhaps you might even find your father among the dishonored souls you slay with such abandon. . .
HEL—DIALOGUE 1D
You have the stench of the Allfather about you, warrior. Perhaps you expect Odin to lead you from my domain? I am the only other living being he has cast into this accursed realm, and I have awaited my release for a thousand years!
HEL—DIALOGUE 1E
The dead do not welcome the presence of the living, warrior. You remind them of all they have lost. And though you may be strong, their numbers will take their toll eventually. . .
HEL—DIALOGUE 1F
Many are sent to Hel, young warrior. But I allow none to escape. . .
For the Marching Room—Looking at the scrying pool.
HEL
You see, them warrior? Odin will rue the day he gave me so many subjects. . . Now I send them to serve a new master, my father, Loki. The dark powers of his allies will transform these walking husks into the tools of our revenge.
So many new dead. . . so very, very many. Each hour marks the passage of a thousand more through these gates, thanks
Halsted/Johnson · Page 17 · Rune Scripts 4/19/04 to that wonderfully bloodthirsty Conrack. Can you imagine the destruction, warrior? Can you see how Midgard will be ravaged once we have unleashed this horde?
For the Overwhelming Room
HEL
I tire of toying with you, Ragnar. I shall divert a few souls from their march to Loki. Where you have conquered a small number, I now give you a legion! Soon you will fall, and you will join their ranks!
(mad cackling)
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SCRIPT 11 POST-HEL ODIN FLIC Speaking Characters: Odin
Ragnar has successfully navigated the exit apparatus from Hel. He is now in the realm of the Goblin domain.
ODIN
It is no simple thing to withstand Hel’s treachery in her own domain. You have proven your mettle, brave warrior. Remember what you have seen and heard in that place, for it will serve you well in your quest.
You’ve now come to the caverns beneath the Tyrdall Mountains. Beware, for you will find its denizens as numerous as Hel’s thralls—and unencumbered by rotting flesh. . .
SCRIPT 12 TRIAL PIT FLIC
This is a non-speaking-part flic that involves lowering Ragnar into the trial Pit upside down. In a previous cavern, Ragnar is overwhelmed by a horde of Goblins. Player control is taken away as they swarm around him. The Ragnar character should “fall”, and the goblins obscure his form from the camera as it pulls up and away, pans around a bit, and then fades to black.
The camera fades back in again on the scene. Exactly how you want to pull off these shots is up to the executors of the area, Chris and Jim.
SCRIPT 13 BEETLE FLY-THROUGH FLIC
Ragnar rides a beetle through this map. How he gets upon it and off it is to be resolved. The beetle presumably crash-lands in the cavern before or the cavern with the Thorstadt Vista. Ragnar is knocked off the beetle and the player resumes control.
Halsted/Johnson · Page 19 · Rune Scripts 4/19/04
SCRIPT 14 THORSTADT VISTA ODIN FLIC
Ragnar gets off the beetle and sees Thorstadt through an opening in the cliffs. It is far in the distance.
ODIN
As I foretold, you have won your way to the surface and before you lies the mountain fortress of Thorstadt. Darkness lies inside those walls, as does Conrack and vengeance for your father’s death.
SCRIPT 15 PRE-THORSTADT ODIN FLIC
As Ragnar nears the gates of Thorstadt, Odin speaks.
ODIN
Conrack has made his seat a haven of corruption and decadence, gaining power from his followers worship of the dark gods. Seek the Betrayer within the Temple of Loki and strike your blow for vengeance.
Halsted/Johnson · Page 20 · Rune Scripts 4/19/04
SCRIPT 16 PRE-THORSTADT VIKING TALK
This could be a flic or done while player has control. Ragnar approaches the main gates but they do not open. From a slit in the guard tower above, he hears voices.
GUARD 1
Look, Atli! Something from the lowlands has washed up against the gate!
GUARD 2
And a sorry bit of flotsam he is. Shall I call out the guard?
GUARD 1
Not for this one-- I’ll take him myself.
Guard 1 comes down around the side to take on Ragnar.
GUARD 1
You can run if you’d like, gelding. But you’ll not make it back to the sea!
After Ragnar has killed this man, he enters the guard basement. Guard 2 eventually drops down to surprise him.
GUARD 2
You’ll get no further than this, boy.
Halsted/Johnson · Page 21 · Rune Scripts 4/19/04
SCRIPT 17 THORSTADT DARK VIKING DIALOGUE
Throughout Thorstadt, Ragnar will hear several classes of dialogue. These are contained in other documents in Mike Larson’s home directory. They fall into three categories:
• Voices behind walls: These include screams, arguments, and torture sequences. Some may be intelligible; others may be too muffled to make out distinct phrases.
• Dark Viking conversations: These are intelligible. They sum up the Dark Viking experience in Thorstadt. They make reference to Conrack, Loki, and various other goings-on.
• Combat taunts and alerts: These are intelligible, and are largely shouted at Ragnar, or around him.
LOKI TEMPLE PRE-FLIC DIALOGUE
While exploring the Loki Temple in Thorstadt, Ragnar hears a loud and insistent argument going on behind one large door. The argument is heated yet unintelligible.
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SCRIPT 18 LOKI TEMPLE FLIC Characters: Conrack, Sigard, Temple Guard, Dark Viking, Sark1, Sark2 Speaking Characters: Conrack, Sigard
Ragnar has found a way over the door just as the muffled argument ends.
Flic takes over. The camera pans down to show Conrack and Sigard in a heated argument. Three Dark Vikings stand behind Sigard.
SIGARD
--and I have served you well, Conrack. Under my command we have laid waste to another score of villages and now lie within a half-day’s march of Wotankeld. But the men begin to grumble about such wanton destruction on our own lands. When our campaign comes to an end, what will remain? It is time to drop this charade of worshipping Loki, lest its magicks forever corrupt us!
CONRACK
The dogs of war turn against their master. You are skilled with a blade, Sigard, but you are blind to the grand schemes of my master. A leader of men you may be, but we have no further use for you or any thrall you might call a warrior.
SIGARD (drawing his axe)
You dare call us?—-if these are the rewards of loyalty, I declare the hounds free of the kennel!
CONRACK (backing away from the Vikings toward the edge of the pit)
Let me show you the rewards of true loyalty. Mortals may call me the Betrayer, but the master of this temple has rewarded my devotion with a true army! See for yourself the power of Loki!
The domed cover to the pit opens, and upon a rising platform ringed by fire and steam rise two Sark warriors. With a gesture from Conrack, the Sark dart forward and slaughter the Vikings. Conrack returns with them to the platform and all three descend, the cover rumbling shut above them.
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SCRIPT 19 DYING SIGARD FLIC Characters: Ragnar, Sigard, corpses of Dark Vikings Speaking Characters: Sigard
Ragnar approaches the carnage left by the Sark. As he approaches the body of Sigard, he discovers him to be still alive. Flic begins.
SIGARD
Ragnar? I had heard there was an intruder. . .
(coughs blood)
I prayed to Odin, but feared he would not hear one gone so astray. . .
We thought Conrack merely clever and bloodthirsty, but he is completely mad! He would destroy all of Midgard in his bid to win Loki’s favor.
(wheezes and then coughs blood again)
You must stop him, Ragnar. Where once there were many, there is now only you—the Odinsblade.
I know I have not earned Valhalla, but I would not be one of Conrack’s monsters. Take my axe, Ragnar, and go to seek vengeance for us all. . .
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SCRIPT 20 MOUNTAINSIDE ODIN SPEAKS Speaking Characters: Odin
As Ragnar departs Thorstadt and enters the mountains of Jotunheim, he hears the voice of Odin:
ODIN
The Betrayer has eluded you, and revealed the nature of his allies. Yours has now become more than a quest for vengeance, warrior, for Loki’s tangled plot threatens to topple all the Nine Worlds. But Conrack remains the weakest part of the skein.
He has abandoned Midgard for the realms of the Niebulung Dwarves while he gathers his forces for the final attack. You’ll find an entrance that lair in a pass beyond these mountains.
Continue to trust in me, Ragnar, and you will find both our causes. . .satisfied.
SCRIPT 21 LEAP OF FAITH ODIN SPEAKS Speaking Characters: Odin
ODIN
Leave worry to cowards, Ragnar. Trust yourself to faith.
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SCRIPT 22 APPROACH TO DARK DWARF ODINSPEAKS Speaking Characters: Odin
ODIN
You stand at a lesser entrance to the Dwarven holdfasts, warrior. I long watched upon the shifts in their alliegence— the many years since the Dwarf Lord offered the Aesir a weapon as glorious and singular as Mijolnir.
Instead they turn to the crude elemental powers of fire and water and build weapons a score at a time. I would punish these creatures who turn their labor to the creation of armaments for Loki’s dark army.
Strike for me, warrior. Strike for your people. Raid these realms for their weaponry, and when you see their dark lord he will know that the atonement for his treachery is at hand.
SCRIPT 23 DARK DWARF CITADEL ODIN SPEAKS
Ragnar comes out over a vista and gets a look at the Dwarf Lord’s temple. This is 1/3 through dwarfmap5, and is near the end of the dwarf experience.
Odin too sees the temple. He speaks again, and in his voice we hear a mixture of anger and incredulity:
ODIN
This. . .indulgent. . .structure is new. It seems the Dwarf Lord has built a temple to himself.
The dwarves are indeed excellent smiths, but without their leader they will scatter in fear and their use to Loki will be at an end.
Seek out the Dwarf Lord within, Ragnar. Destroy he vain enough to anoint himself a demigod and the runes will tell of how you crippled his entire race!
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SCRIPT 24 SARK APPROACH ODIN SPEAKS Speaking Characters: Odin
ODIN
Fed by the countless souls of Hel, armored by the treacherous Dwarves, and led by your blood-enemy. Loki has guided Conrack’s armies to your village and its last remaining Runestone. If it is destroyed, my hold on Midgard will be so weakened that Loki might free himself and unleash Ragnarok.
Be strong, Ragnar, for the final confrontation approaches, and you fight not merely for your village but for god and mortal alike.
SCRIPT 25 LOKI APPROACH Speaking Characters: Loki, Odin
SFX: During the approach to Loki’s realm, we should hear Loki’s mad laughter occasionally--big, booming, scary cackling in the distance. Occasionally the insane laughter will be so loud that the camera shakes. We might also hear several prolonged shrieks of pain and anguish by Loki.
After a few of these, Odin will speak. This time he is quiet, but firm. These will be his last words to Ragnar before the victory sequence of the game:
ODIN
Those shrieks you hear were never intended for mortal ears, Ragnar. Conrack awaits you within these tunnels, along with the creatures he commands. They are also home to the Trickster and his dark powers.
Where you are going, even I will not be able to aid you. Trust to yourself, alone, Ragnar. Remember your father, and those yet living who yet depend on you.
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SCRIPT 26 LOKI SPEAKS FLIC
As Ragnar enters the stairwell that leads down past the huge Loki actor, Loki senses his presence and speaks: (We may want to use the camera to pan about Loki here once Ragnar looks out one of the big windows at him.)
LOKI (Manic laughter, subsiding, then)
(muttering) Odin?
(giggling) One-eyed one?
(suddenly whimpering) Father?
(a pause, then, enraged and shrieking: ) HAVE YOU AT LAST COME TO SET ME FREE?
(voice breaking) Or have you come to gloat upon my twisted form?
(sobbing for a moment, turning to quiet, choking laughter) No, no, no. . .not Odin. He does not forgive. . .
(enraged again) and NEITHER DO I you MISBEGOTTEN OLD WRETCH!
(breathing heavy, beginning to titter quietly) I will destroy you, father. Just like Balder, I will.
(a pause as he regains control, then) NO! I AM destroying you, old One-Eye. The one you bound deep in the bowels of the mortal world is reaching all the way up to the halls of Asgard to SHAKE YOUR MIGHTY THRONE!
There are so many you’ve disgarded, forgotten. Me, my daughter, those souls you condemned to her realm. Dishonored, you called them. Not worthy of your precious Valhalla. . .
(shrieking again) but they are great in number, and through MY SCHEMES, and with MY BLOOD, they will RISE TO CRUSH ASGARD ITSELF!
(mad cackling)
SCRIPT 27 COMBAT IN LOKI PIT: LOKI TAUNTS Speaking Characters: Loki
Halsted/Johnson · Page 28 · Rune Scripts 4/19/04 Each time Ragnar is killed by the Sark or by the zombies, and intermittently during combat, Loki taunts him:
LOKI—DIALOGUE ONE
(tittering) Foolish mortal. . . you are nothing but a pawn of Odin—
(enraged) and ODIN HAS NO POWER HERE!
LOKI—DIALOGUE TWO
Mortal, mortal, mortal. . .
(singsong) Slayer of dead men, killer of dwarves. . . Murderer of Vikings, hunter of the Wendol. . .
(calm building to enraged) You have killed so many things, but can you not see— You are no match for the creatures of my blood!
LOKI—DIALOGUE THREE
Poor, dead mortal. . . what did my father promise you? Power? Wealth? The return of your father? Can you not see through his empty pledges? Can you not see that I could give you these things? That I would?
LOKI—DIALOGUE FOUR
Odin’s pawn. . .you’ve traveled so far. . .fought so hard. . . yet no runes will be written of your MISERABLE DEATH!
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SCRIPT 28 COMBAT IN LOKI PIT: CONRACK FLIC Speaking Characters: Conrack, Loki (SFX)
From the darkness of the cavern comes the voice of Conrack:
CONRACK
At last we meet, interloper. Who are you to intrude upon this sacred ground? Who dares enter the prison of great Loki unbidden?
Wait. . . you are the son of Jarl. . .
A pity you did not drown with the others. You fury has brought you far, boy! You invaded my mountain fortress, struck deeply at my weaponsmiths, been a thorn in the side of my master. . .
Conrack walks into Ragnar’s field of view, his weapon drawn.
CONRACK
There are great things afoot here, boy. Things you couldn’t possibly understand. The great snake will soon drip its venom and I must tend to my master. But first I will take care of you. Prepare to join your father!
The player regains control and the fight begins.
SFX: Loki cackles in the background throughout the fight.
If Conrack beats Ragnar
CONRACK—DIALOGUE ONE
You’ve come so far, yet die so easily!
CONRACK—DIALOGUE TWO
You carried Sigard’s axe, but wielded none of his skill...
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CONRACK—DIALOGUE THREE
Give my regards to your father, Ragnar. I know Hel looks forward to reuniting you. . .
CONRACK—DIALOGUE FOUR
I honor a worthy foe with a death so near great Loki. . .
CONRACK—DIALOGUE FIVE
Your pitiful blade could never hope to stand against the chosen of Loki.
CONRACK—DIALOGUE SIX
Die, fool!
When Ragnar defeats Conrack
A flic takes over and the camera cuts to a sequence where Ragnar knocks Conrack into the blood—the color is right and Loki is screaming. From this point on, Loki screams regularly, and the blood changes. This prevents Ragnar from jumping in and changing too soon.
CONRACK (as he stumbles backward and tumbles into the blood pool)
No!
(screams and shrieks as he sinks into the goo)
There is a moment’s pause, an eerie silence. Then Conrack bursts from the pool, transformed. Even Ragnar takes a step back from his hideous new form.
CONRACK
(coughs) I see.
(begins to snicker, vaguely reminiscent of Loki) I see it all now. My master’s grand design!
No longer am I hindered by the frailties of a human form! I have bathed in the blood of Loki and have been reborn in his immortal image!
My master has made me the perfect warlord for his perfect army.
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Conrack turns and leaps to a high exit area near Loki. Before leaving he turns to glare back down at Ragnar.
CONRACK
As you pursued your petty vengeance, my warriors have made short work of Odin’s faithful on Midgard. Now only one Runestone remains—that of your village.
(mockingly) Your poor, little village. It will be such an easy conquest. Too bad there are no warriors left to defend it. . .
It’s not far away, you know. But I’m afraid only one of us will ever see it again. You will die here, overwhelmed in this pit. I will destroy the last of the Runestones of Odin and walk by my master’s side to the greatest battle of them all! This is the end, mortal.
Conrack exits. Flic ends. Enemies continue their assault. Loki commences periodically screaming, and the blood periodically changes with it.
Several things can happen in the next sequence:
RAGNAR JUMPS INTO BLOOD AT THE WRONG TIME FLIC or
RAGNAR IS KILLED BY ANYBODY OTHER THAN CONRACK IN THE LOKI PIT FLIC
Camera pans around as Ragnar slumps and gives time for Loki to laugh or give one of his little speeches (see Script 27.)
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SCRIPT 29 RAGNAR JUMPS INTO BLOOD AT RIGHT TIME FLIC Speaking Characters: Loki
Ragnar emerges from the pool transformed—low camera angle. Player regains control and can smash baddies.
When the player moves Ragnar into position to jump through the exit that Conrack did, Loki speaks to him:
LOKI (amused)
The mortal warrior. . .mortal no longer.
Are you so driven to aid your fellow humans that you would abandon your own humanity?
(cackling)
Odin does not care for monsters, warrior. If once he aided you, he will surely shun you now. . .
(increasingly frantic)
perhaps he will STRIKE YOU DOWN, just as he CONDEMNED HIS OWN SON to be CHAINED TO THIS ROCK!!
(gasping as his rage actually calms him)
Stay with me, my creature. Join the others of my blood and together we will march into Ragnarok and assault the halls of Asagard!
Flic ends. When RagnarSark enters the exit tunnel, Loki bellows behind him:
LOKI
You belong to me now, warrior! Do not dare to interfere in my plans any further!. . .
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SCRIPT 30 LOKI SPEECH UPON SEEING FIRST RUINED VILLAGE Speaking Characters: Loki
Ragnar enters the village of Hrothgar, entirely sacked by the armies of Loki. Sark warriors and fleeing villagers are everywhere; the village’s Runestone has been trashed. As Ragnar makes his way through the village, he hears the voice of Loki:
LOKI
Has the Allfather spoken to you, creature? No, he has abandoned you, just as he abandoned this village to my minions. Only Wotankeld’s runestone remains. . .and your precious village cannot withstand my army!
SCRIPT 31 LOKI SPEECH UPON SEEING RAGNAR’S RUINED VILLAGE Speaking Characters: Loki
Ragnar has returned to his village at last—only to find it in ruins. As he nears the ruins, Loki speaks:
LOKI
You see—Conrack has led my minions admirably. Stripped of its warriors your village couldn’t even put up a token resistance. . .
I offer one last time—join me or be destroyed!
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SCRIPT 32 CONRACK AND RAGNAR FIGHT FOR THE RUNE FLIC Speaking Characters: Conrack, Loki
Making his way into the village, Ragnar finds Conrack and a few Sark in the village’s Circle of Odin, preparing to destroy the Runestone. As Ragnar begins to cross the bridge, the flic begins. Conrack turns and sees Ragnar:
(NOTE: Conrack’s voice will be modulated at this point, changed by his mutation into a Sark, but we can still hear hatred—of Ragnar, still not dead—with elation—Loki’s plans are near frution.)
CONRACK (sneering, triumphant)
Welcome home, Ragnar. A pity you come too late. Wotankeld has been reduced to rubble, and its people have been scattered to the winds.
With the destruction of this last Runestone, my master Loki can be freed at last and the Fimbulwinter will begin!
The flic ends, and the combat begins. There are two possible outcomes:
DEFEATED OUTCOME: Conrack wins
As Ragnar slumps, Conrack jeers:
CONRACK—DIALOGUE ONE
Now the Nine Worlds belong to Loki!
CONRACK—DIALOGUE TWO
You die as your father did—like a gutted sow.
CONRACK—DIALOGUE THREE
Forsaken by Odin, unworthy of Loki—you truly deserve to die.
CONRACK—DIALOGUE FOUR
Give my regards to Hel, Ragnar. . .
CONRACK—DIALOGUE FIVE
The final obstacle to Ragnarok—destroyed at last. . .
TRIUMPHANT OUTCOME: Ragnar wins
Conrack stumbles back, and cries
CONRACK
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Loki! Aid me!
After taking a few more whacks, Conrack falls to his hands and knees.
CONRACK (weakly)
I’ve failed you, master. . .
Player is given a chance to decapitate Conrack. As Conrack falls, a blinding ray of light envelopes the Circle of Odin and flic takes over.
CUT TO: Loki’s chamber. Loki screams and struggles in his bonds as the cavern shakes and rocks begin to fall.
LOKI
NO! Damn you, father! Why let me get so close—
His scream is cut short as rocks fall into the foreground, and everything goes black.
The face of Odin fades in in extreme closeup, then we pull back to find him manifested above the Runestone of Odin, which rises up into the air before Ragnar. The Allfather speaks:
ODIN
You have done well, bravest of my warriors. Fear not for the people of your village. They are safe in the hands of my servant Bragi, far from Loki’s wrath.
But know that chaos is afoot in the land, and the Fimbulwinter approaches. Loki’s schemes are without number, and one day soon he will bring Ragnarok upon us all.
The tribes of man must continue to prepare for the contest to come, but your place now is on battlefields far beyond Midgard.
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A portal appears beyond Odin and the Runestone, and perhaps we call see Vallhalla or Asgard beyond.
ODIN
You have been tested, warrior, and I have not found you wanting. When the runes tell of Ragnar Jarlson, they will speak of the first mortal warrior welcomed into the halls of Asgard!
Step into the portal, warrior, and join me at my side.
Ragnar steps forward as the portal opens wider to show the Bifrost Bridge and the music swell to a crescendo. Everything gets brighter and brighter until the screen is pure white—and then
FADE TO BLACK
ii
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