Tobias/Stories

General Stories Misc

Quotes

On Sortied

I am the wind of hope that drives away despair!

On Entering a Room

Enemies of the goddess must be purged!

When Quest Begins

May the Goddess bless us in this endeavor!

All will sing of our divine deeds on this day!

Response to Beginning of a Quest

Yes! Let us proceed with faith in our hearts!

I am ready in both body and spirit.

When Controlling Character in Quest

Now you will know justice!

When Receiving a Heal

Thank you.

You saved me.

When Entering a Boss' Room

This is our last fight. Proceed with caution!

So long as we walk with the Goddess, victory is ours!

Response to Entering a Boss' Room

Yes! Let us raise the standard of justice!

So long as I remain faithful, I will not be defeated!

Upon Getting to Low Health

Rgh... Have I not prayed enough...?

My duty...is not yet ended...

Upon Opening a Chest

Has Ilia blessed us?

I am grateful for this good fortune.

Boss on Low Health

Victory is nigh! Raise your blades in the Goddess's name!

Grant mercy to this fell beast's pitiful soul!

Boss Enters Break State

The time of judgment has arrived!

You will be the foundation of a peaceful world!

Rare Enemy Spawns

Is that a heretical fiend?!

Such an odd thing must be purged from this world.

Upon Death

Into your waiting arms, O Goddess...

I have...no regrets...

Upon Revival

My faith is unyielding.

When Using Weapon/Shared Skills

Damage: Justice is with us!

Buff Self: May Ilia protect me.

Buff Ally: Show us your faith.

Debuff Enemy: You will be judged.

Heal Ally: May the Goddess have mercy on you.

Heal Self: The miracle of salvation.

Player Uses Damaging Skill

Impressive.

A skill fit for the Goddess herself.

When Shape Shifting is Ready

Have my prayers reached the heavens...?!

The Goddess protects me!

Shape Shifting into Dragon

Grand me strength, O Goddess!

Idle During Quest

One must always pray, especially on the battlefield.

I pray we are victorious.

Quest Clear

Justice in Ilia's name!

Quest Failure

My faith was weak...

Home Screen Walking

All is done in the name of Ilia.

My justice is dauntless.

Let us pray.

May the Goddess bless us on this day.

Is that the sacred bird?

May peaceful days reign.

Home Screen Inside

Even if the path is full of thorns, a Paladyn will make their way with faith and justice.

Both the conservatives and perditionists are just. That is why both cling to their beliefs.

Hope's swordplay is improving, but he still gets carried away far too easily.

If I were not a Paladyn, I would be in the choir. Ah, but I love the Ilian Church's hymns.

I'm used to handling eccentrics. My master was quite the oddball...

I enjoy reading. Analyzing the words of my predecessors helps me deepen my own faith.

Home Screen Portrait

What is Justice? What is evil? We must decide these things for ourselves.

I memorized all the holy scripts as a child, for the Church was a second family to me.

I fear not change or controversy. These are the seeds of our evolution.

It is a priest station to hear confession, but I can lend an ear if needed.

No matter what adverse winds blow, my faith will never bend.

Collection Portrait

Elisanne's purity is dangerous, yet exactly what the Paladyns need at this moment.

The Church has been stained. How shameful that is for a Paladyn.

I seek only happiness for others.

As a Paladyn, it would be an honor to die in the course of carrying out my faith.

I pray a peaceful world awaits us at this battle's end.

At The Halidom

Will you pray with me?

I would speak of justice with you.

This peaceful castle is a stranger to conflict.

New Mana Circle Unlocked

To devine heights!

On Mana Circle Fully Unbound

My faith shakes the very heavens!

Adventurer Story Episodes

Episode 1

A Heretical Paladyn

Please note that this story contains spoilers
for Chapter 8 of the main campaign.
Well? What have you to say for yourself? ...... Several hours earlier...
Listen to me, Curran! Sorry. No can do. Please, you must! Tobias cannot possibly be a heretic! An inquisitor's job is to determine such facts for themselves. ...Greetings. My name is Curran, and I am the inquisitor for your case. ...... Not one for talking, eh? What would be the point? I'm well aware that judgment has already been rendered for those accused of heresy. For most inquisitors, that's sadly true. But I believe in judging heretics fairly, which means approaching them with an open mind and heart. I would hear the truth from you. That's an interesting stance for an inquisitor. Perhaps we can start by reading your file. Tell me if you hear any mistakes. Very well. Your name is Paladyn Tobias. You were born the son of a bishop. After being named Paladyn, you took part in the civil war at the Belitz diocese. After helping to quell it, you were assigned to serve a cardinal. Are we good so far? This is all correct, yes. Later, you were given a variety of tasks, including escorting priests through dangerous regions and educating new recruits. But these tasks all had one thing in common: they concerned the perditionists. Do you sympathize with their claims, then? Do you believe the Other to be Ilia's child? Your dismissive tone makes clear your belief that the Scrolls of Perdition are naught but heretical apocrypha. I side with no faction—only the truth. Back to it, then! After a meeting of the Ecclesiastical Council, you were relieved of your post and assigned to a lesser position at the Mistell diocese. To go from serving a cardinal to tending shop in the middle of nowhere is a rather sudden demotion, is it not? That does not concern this inquisition. However, all you have said so far is true. Please continue, if you would. While you were in the Mistell diocese, you injured a dragon living in the woods. Recite the creed of the Ilian Church, Paladyn Tobias. "Respect both Ilia and dragonkind, and guide all people to prosperity." Any mewling babe could tell you such. Then you were fully aware of your actions when turning your blade on that dragon? Inflicting harm upon the creatures you are sworn to revere is a crime against Ilia. Well? What have you to say for yourself? I acted as I must. I did my duty. You can't be serious. I am very serious, Inquisitor Curran. You just admitted that our duty is to revere dragons, yet you attacked one! Do you not see the contradiction? Even the teachings of Ilia are open to interpretation. But the makings of heresy are not. When a layman does wrong, they pay a fine. Maybe spend a little time in jail. But when a Paladyn does wrong... they are burned alive. Having been reminded of this, is there any aspect of your story you would like to change or elaborate upon? My unwavering stance is proof of my faith. I'll not change it for you or anyone, no matter what fires await me. Wait! I refuse to believe this, Tobias! I won't! Oh. You. Very sorry, sir! I tried to stop her, so I did, but blimey, she's strong! Honestly... Why, Tobias? Why have you been branded as heretic? Because I injured a dragon. But there must have been a REASON! The only reason for any of my actions is my belief. Our belief is in the will of the Goddess Ilia! Why would you hurt one of her creatures?! ...... Why won't you talk to me?! This discussion is over. I have nothing further to say. You haven't answered my question! Because the answer does not concern you. Do not involve yourself in this, Elisanne. Inquisitor Curran? Kindly escort the Paladyn from here, if you would. I thought you'd be stubborn, but this... Fair enough. We'll pick it up tomorrow. I won't let you do this, Tobias! I WILL prove your innocence! Kindly keep her from here in the future if you would, my good man. Cor, I don't take no orders from heretics! Now just sit there and don't try none'a yer witchy tricks, ya hear? I have no plans to run or hide, sir. I will remain here, no matter the outcome. "The will of the Goddess Ilia..." Three days remain until Tobias's trial...

Episode 2

Faith and Heresy

This must be the village in the Mistell diocese where Tobias was dispatched. I pray I can find something here which might prove his innocence. Look there! See that halo she wears? She's with the Church! Hmm? Who's there? You Ilia types got no business in this here village! No, wait! Listen to me, good people! I have not come here to cause you ill! We've no need of your Church here. Now leave before you can't walk! Wait! I only wish to— Shoulda listened to me, girly. Haaaah! ...You okay? C-Curran? Why are you here? I'll fill you in on the whole story later. Right now, we gotta split—and fast! *pant* Okay, we should be safe now. My thanks, Curran. But if I may ask again, what brings you to this place? Same thing that brought you, I imagine: I'm looking for the truth. Tobias isn't telling anyone the most important part of his story. You mean WHY he attacked the dragon? That's it. The higher-ups just wanna light him up and get it over with, but I never could leave a mystery unsolved. Because if you know the truth, the truth shall bet your peas! ...Er, yes. Right. Regardless, I believe I understand why you are here. Thanks for not... You know. Making a big deal of that last bit there. Anyway, what's your take on that village? A den for heretics, mostlike. They set upon me the moment they saw my halo. I don't blame you for thinking that, but these folks have actually never been accused of heresy. In fact, until recently, they welcomed both priest and Paladyn with open arms. Then why have they suddenly branded the Church as their enemy? It started when Tobias was arrested. Once that happened, their stance on the Church changed overnight. That's why I thought I might learn something here, but... Well, it's hard to learn when you're busy running for your life. Forget filling me in on what happened— they won't even let me into the village. I'm a bit out of ideas here, to be honest. Actually, I may have an idea. Might I speak with Tobias again? Wait. You're not thinking of... If we cannot get information from the villagers, we've no choice but to get it from the man himself. Only inquisitors are allowed to speak to people charged with heresy. Buuuut...this sounds like our only option. And if anyone can get that bird to sing, it's most likely you. Still, are you sure you want to do this? If the higher-ups learn about this plan, we're both gonna be in a world of hurt. I seek only to know the truth of this matter, and accept the consequences of my action. Besides, I...I owe him. I've been assigned a new inquisitor, eh? That's right. Anyway, I'll just let the two of you get acquainted. I apologize for wasting your time, inquisitor, but I have nothing to tell you that I haven't already told your comrade in arms. So I suggest you lea... YOU! Explain yourself, Elisanne! What are you doing here?! I have just returned from that village.  ! What happened there, Tobias? ...... They are attacking members of the Church. Has the whole village turned heretic? Or is this related to the conflict between the conservatives and perditionists? That village has nothing to do with our conflict, and no bias towards either side. And even if they were a village of perditionists, they would have no reason to help me. Is this related to the time you saved me? Idle speculation benefits none. I know you well enough to think there is more to this story. Above all, you have ever wished for the happiness of everyone. So if you are claiming to have become a heretic, I reject that notion utterly. Tell me, Paladyn: What is heresy to you? What constitutes a proper faith? That is no mean question. Indeed. If it were, the Church would not be divided as it is now. Still, this division has taught us one thing: Faith is not constant. To enact change, one must discard old traditions. That is why I took up my blade. Then you attacked that dragon because of some new faith? Beliefs that take the lives of the innocent must be cast aside, or we shall never know true happiness. What beliefs are you talking about? What is your ultimate aim here? ...Very well. As you swore to aim for the same ideals as me, I shall tell you. Now come. Make yourself comfortable, and let me tell you of lives stolen away by outdated and rotten beliefs...

Episode 3

Distorted Faith

My first assignment after becoming a Paladyn
was to quell the civil war in the Belitz diocese.
The conflict began with the murder of a bishop,
and the chaos quickly spread from there,
Soon, laymen and clergy were at war.
In the end, countless residents who
turned their backs on the Church
were put to death in Ilia's name.
O imperfect soul, be taken upon the flow of mana and go with the favor of the goddess. May you find peace in her arms. Have you finished your burials, Tobias? This was the last. And having finished, I would ask you something. Go on. Did we truly need to purge so many? These people rejected Ilia's blessings and became heretics of their own will. To a man, they got what they deserved. By putting them to the sword, we prevent their souls from becoming even more sullied. In this way do we save them. Now if you are finished, we need to begin clearing away this rubble. We "save" them? But how can— Ah! Ho there! Who threw that stone? MURDERER! Please don't harm my boy! I beg of you! Don't defend him! He killed Daddy! I've no intention of harming you or your child, good woman. ...... The battle is over. Any reason we may have had to fight is gone. Then why did you kill my husband? The bishop was murdered and churches attacked. We did not start this conflict. Yes you did! YOU were the ones who started taking US away! What do you mean, child? We were told the dragons required sacrifices. That's preposterous. You can play the fool all you like, but that's exactly what your bishop told us. We were told we had to make offerings to the dragons, and to the development of the Church. ...Offerings. Pah! Taxes are more like it, for we'd little choice in the matter! Then we were told our monetary sacrifices were no longer enough, and that only by offering our very lives to the dragons could we hope to find salvation! You speak madness! All we wanted was to live in peace, yet your Church took everything from us! Why?! Why have you done this?! You're nothing but a pack of murderers killing in the name of a mad goddess! *gasp* Heresy and slander! ...Come, men! Take this woman and clap her in irons! Wait! We need to listen to— She'll have all the time in the world to speak once her inquisitor arrives. Now seize her AND her child! No! Not my son! PLEASE! ...This is no salvation. The Church's members follow and worship Ilia that they might find happiness. And this—this...MADNESS—flies in the face of everything we hold dear! Guide me, O Ilia! Show me the way! Why does your Church even exist if this is to be the result?! ...Then the cause of the civil war was the Church's own barbarism? Exactly. It was the end result of a faith that had grown twisted. When a faith has fallen so low as to claim innocent lives, it is time for it to be left in the past. Then the reason you came down on the side of the perditionists... Yes. I thought perhaps lives could be spared if the Church were to change. Even if that change caused bloodshed in the initial phase, such sacrifices could be justified if they served to usher in a new era of wisdom and peace. But our Church continued to rot from within, becoming more malicious by the day. That was when I knew even more drastic measures would be required. Is that what led you to attack the dragon? Surely there must have been some other way to get what you wanted. Righteous beliefs and heretical ones are two sides of the same coin. I won't ask you to understand my beliefs. I just ask that you leave me alone. There is only one way this will end: with your charred corpse tied to a stake. Is that truly the result you desire? Are you willing to die before achieving all you have set out to accomplish? Only the heavens know who is truly right. If my beliefs are heresy, it is only correct that I am judged for them. Also, I do not prize my own safety and welfare over holding fast my convictions. They are not so cheap as all that. That much is clear. Enough. We have talked overlong. Kindly leave me be. ...... (I now understand why he objects to the Church's current state.) (But I ALSO understand he is thinking of people's happiness as much as ever.) O Ilia, pray lend me your wisdom. What are righteous beliefs? What is heresy? Two days remain until Tobias's trial...

Episode 4

The Truth Behind the Heresy

(Tobias still seeks people's happiness, even with his own life in the balance. Surely such a heart cannot have been stained with darkness.) (He cannot be a heretic. He CANNOT. But I'll need to find proof of such before his trial If I am to... Ah, excellent. The villagers have arrived!) Listen to me, all of you! Pray spare a moment and hear my words, for I seek to aid Paladyn Tobias! Hold up, everyone! ...Well, girly? Care to explain what you're doin' here when it was your own Church what up and took him away? Tobias is currently being tried as a heretic by the Church for harming a dragon. But I cannot imagine him doing such an act without just cause. I MUST learn of what happened here, and you are the only ones who can tell me. Please help Mr. Tobias! It's my fault... It's 'cause I... *sniff* Soft, little one. Soft. Talk to me. Why do you say this is your fault? I will explain that on her behalf. Don't be a fool! You can't trust this one— she's from the Church! And yet she appears genuine in her desire to help Tobias. Pray forgive my people their impudence. I will tell you what you wish to know. I'll tell you all about that day... Your granddaughter has gone missing?! Yes. She's not been seen since yesterday. Please, you must help me find her! We Paladyns have a duty to defend Ilia's faithful; I will do all I can. Expand the search outside the village! Leave no stone unturned! Right away! I bring ill news: We found a child's ribbon at the entrance to the forest. The poor thing must have gone inside! Assemble a search party at once. Split up and investigate every inch of that forest! Er, I'm afraid we can't enter the forest. And why not? Because that forest is where this diocese's guardian dragon lives. We have no place entering it. But what of my granddaughter?! What will happen to her?! I'm afraid all we can do is wait for her to return and let Ilia's will be done. Then I will go. You cannot! The Church's creed is to respect Ilia and dragonkind! We knights of the Church need follow that more than any! We cannot invade a dragon's territory! You seem to be forgetting the second half of the creed. Do we not also have a duty to guide people to prosperity? Ilia's faithful are not dragons, but people! The Ilian Church exists for the sake of mankind—and Ilia's true wish is the heresy of saving them, not the belief they should be left to die! ...So he ended up entering the forest. And in so doing, saved my granddaughter. But his actions earned the ire of the dragon. Leaving him no choice but to defend himself. The moment he returned from the forest, he was seized by the other Paladyns. They branded him a heretic for harming that dragon, so they did! Tobias is a hero who saved a child, and any church that calls him a heretic is sorely mistaken! Oh, the Church is real fine when it comes to preachin', but when do they actually save anyone?! Enough of that now. You are in the presence of a Paladyn! It's like we don't even understand the teachings of Ilia no more. We pray and we pray, but none of us actually think it'll do much good. Until the moment he was taken away, Tobias told us to believe in her. And yet... I see. (I knew he was no heretic! Yes, he took up his blade to defend these people, but his heart was always with the Goddess.) (If he had left that child to her fate, these people would have resented the Church, leading to a repeat of what happened in the Belitz diocese.) (Tobias tried to protect these people AND their faith—which makes my path clear!) If it comes to it, we'll take up arms to go and rescue him! I fear the use of force will only make his predicament worse. I think I know a way to save him... but to do it, I need your help. Oh ho! Perhaps Tobias was right after all! Your arrival was clearly ordained by Ilia, which means she hasn't abandoned us! Help him, good Paladyn! Help Tobias! I shall. Now permit me to explain my plan, if you would... Bad news, Elly! What is it? Tobias's trial is going to take place earlier than planned! No!

Episode 5

The Purpose of Faith

The moment of Tobias's trial has arrived.
I hereby proclaim the trial of Paladyn Tobias in session. Inquisitor, you may present the findings of your investigation. The accused is believed to have harmed a dragon while posted in the Mistell diocese. What reason does he give for this act? He proclaims to have "done his duty." I have a question for the accused: What "duty" do you refer to? My duty is the same as all Paladyns: To embody the creed of the Ilian Church. That creed is at the heart of all I do. You are suggesting you were following the creed even while in Mistell? I am. Even though you attacked a dragon—which that selfsame creed says we must revere? Clearly you were not content with merely spreading your heretical teachings and felt the need to claim the life of a dragon! Tell me, do you worship the Other as well? My heart is ever with Ilia. And yet you are a fervent perditionist! Is that a problem? Lest we forget, the creed of the Church is: "Respect both Ilia and dragonkind, and guide all people to prosperity." That means Ilia's wish—and our goal as Her followers—is to grant happiness to ALL forms of life. As the Other lives, so too must we accept and love him. Or do you suggest that granting Ilia's wishes is also heresy? The creed is meant only for pure souls! The Other's soul was stained with darkness, and so does not apply. You would dare to call Ilia's own child "stained with darkness"? Because that is what the Other is. Turning your eyes from this truth is foolishness itself. I need not subscribe to your insane beliefs, perditionist! Calm yourselves. We have not come here to engage in factional disputes. I agree—this is neither the time nor the place for such. We've more important matters to discuss. ...Such as why the accused forgot the will of the Goddess. ...... Another Paladyn stationed in Mistell has given a most concerning testimony. He claims he heard you say that "Ilia's true wish is heresy" before going into the dragon's forest. We heard testimony along those lines as well. Your actions pollute the very goddess you profess to follow! To claim to act in Ilia's name while spreading falsehoods and creating more heretics is naught but blasphemy! The people of that diocese are not heretics, but devoted followers of Ilia. Then why did they drive members of the Church from their village? I can see two potential causes for followers of a church to turn on it: One is when those followers cast aside their faith and become heretics... And the other is when a church commits a crime against those followers. Mind your words! Did you not ask me to explain the reason behind my actions? Then let me do so. It all started when a child from that village wandered into a dragon's forest. The other knights, cowed by their reverence for the dragon, refused to go to her aid. But if no one had gone looking for her, she might not have returned alive. Perhaps that was the will of the Goddess. I have a question for all followers of Ilia: For whom does the Church exist? I will answer! It exists for its faithful— it exists for the PEOPLE! Our Church exists to BENEFIT mankind, not to harm it! We are well aware of this! Are you, though? I fear followers of the old Church have become so focused on its laws that they've lost sight of what's most important: the happiness of people. That is why I followed my faith—my devotion to carrying out the will of Ilia, who loves all living things—and turned my blade on that dragon. Spare us your mental gymnastics! Logic is on my side, Father. Tell me, what reason could there be for the formerly devout followers of the Church in Mistell to turn against it? Their actions only serve as proof that the Church has lost its way. How much longer must we suffer these inane arguments, Your Excellency? Deliver your verdict and have done with it! I will accept whatever punishment you see fit to give me...but remember this! Divine beings are only divine so long as they have followers to worship them. If the Church's leadership fails to grasp this, then the Church has no future! I've heard enough of your nonsense! I am ready to deliver my verdict. Wait! You're... Tobias is no heretic, but a messenger of Ilia! He found a lost child in the woods of our guardian dragon, and he did so thanks to Ilia's own guidance! Now THIS is getting good! Mr. Tobias saved my life! And he told me to believe in Ilia no matter what! So I prayed lots and lots—and then we made friends with the dragon again! Child, are you telling me you rode here on that dragon's BACK?! The kid prayed to Ilia, and the dragon lent a hand. Sounds like the Goddess at work to me! These villagers also testified that Tobias told them to uphold Ilia's teachings. Do you still intend to declare him heretic and see him punished? I most certainly do—for he is a heretic of the most dangerous sort! A man who worships the Other over Ilia and whose very existence endangers lives! I am not the dangerous one here. Indeed, I think far more danger is posed by people who only cast their eyes upwards, and in doing so fail to see the common world around them. What?! A religion that disregards the well-being of its adherents will never save anyone. ...But what of the opposite? I believe that was proven this day. Those whose welfare is cared for— like these villagers—will reaffirm their faith. Silence! I will not be lectured on the Ilian Church by someone whose soul has been purchased by the Other! You act as though I see you as my enemy, yet nothing could be further from the truth. As I told you before, Ilia's wish is the happiness of all life. So I must love you in her name as I would anyone else.  ! Silence! I have reached my verdict. ...The charges against Tobias are found to be false. His actions did not lead anyone else to heresy, and the dragon he harmed has granted forgiveness. If the dragon can forgive, it stands to reason the Goddess has done also. This is no heretic, but a Paladyn who protected the happiness of Ilia's children. But even if not heretical, acting alone in such an extreme manner and preaching that the Goddess condones heresy are hardly praiseworthy actions. As such... Are you all right, Tobias? I take it you were responsible for the villagers' arrival? Yes, and I am glad we made it in time. Had the dragon not chosen to aid us, we likely would have been too late. You truly are a woman like no other. And you are equally unbelievable, Paladyn Tobias. One wrong move, and you'd be on the stake by now. If my death somehow led people to question the current state of the Church, it would have proved a worthy demise. Still, I wish you would have at least confided in me about all of this. There was no need to shut me out. If comporting with me ended up with you being branded a heretic as well, who would be left to realize our ideal? Regardless, I'm thankful for what you did. The villagers' testimonies will likely lead to change in churches across the region. Still, I didn't expect you to be exiled to a remote northern region as punishment. Sending you to Dezes makes it perfectly clear they want to be shed of you. I care not where I am sent; my mission will remain the same regardless. Then let me end with this, Paladyn: it gladdens me that you yet live. My thanks to the Goddess for her mercy and wisdom. (O Goddess above, permit me to mete out justice in your name for as long as I live.) (If I am able to serve as your blade for eternity, I will want for nothing else!)