Narrator - The dwarf's eyes meet yours. He stares at you for a moment, as if lost in thought. Then, he gasps, lips forming a wide smile.
[[1. (continue)->Recognition]]Carson, the Snickering One - Marcus? Marcus Miles, is that you? Hah! And here I was, thinking t' waves'd finally offed ya!
(link: "1. Smile. A couple of waves are nothing you can't handle.")[(set: $marcus to "alive")(goto: "Smile")]
(link: "2. Say you're still very much alive, but have no idea who you're talking to.") [(set: $marcus to "alive")(goto: "Introduction")]
(link: "3. Marcus Miles was killed in the rebellion. His times are long past. Who is this dwarf to remind you of him?")[(set: $marcus to "dead")(goto: "Introduction")]
(link: "4. You'd prefer those waves over talking to this dwarf. Leave.") [(set: $marcus to "alive")(goto: "Disappointment")]Narrator - The dwarf laughs. The walls echo with the sound.
[[1. (continue)->Beast o' the sea]]Carson, the Snickering One - Yeah, o'course not! They don't call you Beast o' the Sea for nothin'!
[[1. Confess that you have no idea who he is.->Introduction]]
[[2. Agree. Mention that you'd like to be called Beast out of jail, too.->Taking action]]
[[3. Say you're glad to have cleared this up. You'll be on your way now.->Disappointment]]Carson, the Snickering One - Oh! Right. Carson. Remember Claw Lake? Justinia's always said how your wet beard looked like a dead rabbit. Think she wanted 'er own, that one...
[[1. (continue)->Justinia's changed]]Carson, the Snickering One - She used t' be a great sport. Thick as thieves, we were, all three of us. Now, she's queen...not much of an improvement, right?
[[1. You remember now. This mess needs to be sorted out.->Taking action]]
[[2. You stroke your beard in thought. You still can't quite recall, but you'd like to undo that "improvement" anyway.->Taking action]]Carson, the Snickering One - Hah! That's the spirit! Yeah, I can help you with that. Whaddya need?
[[1. Mention none of the people in the arena are wearing source collars.->Source collars]]
[[2. All you want is bringing Justinia to justice.->Justinia to justice]]
Carson, the Snickering One - Oh. Right. I'm not going anywhere, so come back if you need anything.
[[1. (end)->End of conversation.]]End of conversation.Carson, the Snickering One - Anyway, o' course that's the thing to do, but, ya know. Maybe don't run in sword swinging. Might wanna ask her why, right? She used to be your pal, after all.
[[1. Promise you'll do everything in your power to redeem her.->Redeem]]
[[2. You'll see how it goes and decide then.->Wait]]
[[3. Old times don't matter. She needs to pay for her crimes.->No Matter]](set: $choice to "redemption")
Narrator - The dwarf's eyes open wide, and his mouth forms a wide grin.
[[1. (continue)->The truth is different]](set: $choice to "wait")
Narrator - The dwarf hesitates for a moment; his smile weakens, but does not quite disappear. He looks you up and down, but doesn't seem to find what he's searching for.
[[1. (continue)->Right]]Narrator - The dwarf looks at you for a long moment; his face sinks, the big smile shrinking, until it vanishes into thin air. He swallows.
[[1. (continue)->I was right]]Carson, the Snickering One - Now that's what I wanted t' hear! I tell yeh, the truth is different from what we know, and I ain't believin' she's just lost her marbles.
(if: $question is "unasked") [ [[1. (continue)->Nebora]] ]
(if: $question is "asked") [ [[1. (continue)->Key]] ]Carson, the Snickering One - Alright, look here, this should help you. *You get a key.*
(if: $choice is "redemption") [ [[1. (continue)->Help]] ]
(if: $choice is "wait") [ [[1. (continue)->Good luck]] ]Carson, the Snickering One - I can help, if ya want. Give yeh some hints about the thugs in here.
[[1. Ask about Veerle, the Avid One.->Veerle]]
[[2. Ask about Alisa, the Cultured One.->Alisa]]
[[3. Ask about Gedeon, the Tenacious One.->Gedeon]]
[[4. Ask about Rex, the dog.->Rex]]Carson, the Snickering One - Ah, Veerle. Mean as a cranky Magister, that one. Very toxic.
[[1. (continue)->Chuckling]]Carson, the Snickering One - Alisa, huh? Don't let that pretty face fool ya. Can burn you up in seconds if you don't watch out. Also heals the others, so 't might be good t' get rid of her in a jiffy.
[[1. Ask about Veerle, the Avid One.->Veerle]]
[[2. Ask about Gedeon, the Tenacious One.->Gedeon]]
[[3. Ask about Rex, the dog.->Rex]]
[[4. You have enough information for now.->Enough info]]Carson, the Snickering One - Hah! Gedeon! Likes it up close and personal. He'll come running to hit yeh, so make sure you hit 'im first.
[[1. Ask about Veerle, the Avid One.->Veerle]]
[[2. Ask about Alisa, the Cultured One.->Alisa]]
[[3. Ask about Rex, the dog.->Rex]]
[[4. You have enough information for now.->Enough info]]Carson, the Snickering One - Rex? The dog? Well, he's a dog. He snarles and he bites, nothin' you can't handle, right?
[[1. Ask about Veerle, the Avid One.->Veerle]]
[[2. Ask about Alisa, the Cultured One.->Alisa]]
[[3. Ask about Gedeon, the Tenacious One.->Gedeon]]
[[4. You have enough information for now.->Enough info]]Carson, the Snickering One - Oh. Yeah, right. That sounds like a deal.
(if: $question is "unasked") [ [[1. (continue)->Nebora]] ]
(if: $question is "asked") [ [[1. (continue)->Key]] ]Carson, the Snickering One - The Beast o' the sea! I'm just glad you're still up and kickin'. Good luck getting out of this place.
[[1. You shake his hand and thank him for the help.->Anything for an old pal]]
[[2. Nod. Take your leave.->End of conversation.]]Carson, the Snickering One - You're welcome. Anything for an old pal, right?
[[1. (end)->End of conversation.]]Carson, the Snickering One - Oh. Right. Sorry. (if: $marcus is "alive") [Well, guess I was right after all.] (if: $marcus is "dead") [Well, I guess you were right after all.]
[[1. (continue)->Marcus is dead]]Carson, the Snickering One - Marcus Miles is truly dead.
[[1. Take your leave.->End of conversation.]]Narrator - He wants to finish the joke, but gets shortly cut off by his own chuckle.
[[1. (continue)->Poison]]Carson, the Snickering One - Likes to poison yeh. Also, she can do that from 'cross the field, so take care when you're up against her.
[[1. Ask about Alisa, the Cultured One.->Alisa]]
[[2. Ask about Gedeon, the Tenacious One.->Gedeon]]
[[3. Ask about Rex, the dog.->Rex]]
[[4. You have enough information for now.->Enough info]]Carson, the Snickering One - Alright then! This'll be a walk in the cake for ya! Be back if you need anything!
[[1. You shake his hand and thank him for the help.->Anything for an old pal]]
[[2. Nod. Take your leave.->End of conversation.]]Carson, the Snickering One - Oh, yeah, you didn't hear this from me, but there's a gal up there, Nebora's her name I think, and she knows how t' remove your leash there. She'll only do it after you've stomped everyone in this place, though.
[[1.You still need to take care of the Justinia business.->Business]]
(set: $question to "asked")Narrator - He puts his arms to his sides and laughs. You seem to have missed a joke.
[[1. (continue)->Anyway, a promise]]
(set: $question to "unasked")Carson, the Snickering One - Bringing Justinia t' Justice, huh?
[[1. (continue)->Snickering]]Narrator - He laughs again, at his own joke. The echo is a bit shorter this time.
[[1. (continue)->Anyway, a promise]]Carson, the Snickering One - But first, we need to get rid of that damned thing around your neck. You didn't hear this from me, but there's a gal up there, Nebora's her name I think, and she knows how t' remove your leash there. She'll only do it after you've stomped everyone in this place, though.
[[1. (continue)->Key]]