Paladin Storyline Part 7
story
This post is based on “Paladin”, the main storyline behind Mabinogi’s Storyline Quests. If you do not wish to find out about what happens next, feel free to return to the previous page and view other strategy guides.7. Broken Bolt
We’re currently performing good deeds, a crucial portion of becoming the Knight of Light, by helping out Captain Aodhan. Aodhan’s only wish was for Aranwen of Dunbarton to return to Emain Macha.
The problem is that as soon as we mentioned Emain Macha, Aranwen completely flipped out. Let’s figure out what got her so upset, and what the last good deed for us to perform would be.
1) Aranwen and Redire
Aodhan, I’m back. I have to tell you, Aranwen seemed to flip out when I mentioned the name Emain Macha. I came back unsure whether I said something wrong or not… can you tell me what’s going on?
[Aodhan]
...Did she really say all that to you? Hmmm... you must be quite upset...
...I apologize on her behalf. I didn't think enough about this... It is actually a bit impolite to try to do what you think is a good deed for someone without knowing exactly what they need...
...It's my fault that I didn't explain the circumstances to you in detail. A while back, there was an incident that greatly upset her, and had caused her to thoroughly become disappointed in the Paladins of Emain Macha. Since she was also a Paladin herself, it caused her to become angry with herself as well...
One thing you'll need to know about her is that she is very strict with herself. That may be the reason why we need her, but...
If it's okay with you... can you please ask her once more? We really need her help...if we are to protect Emain Macha...
Aranwen was a Paladin of Emain Macha? Okay, I’ll let her know.
Hello, Aranwen. I’m here again, on behalf of Aodhan…
[Aranwen]
... I sincerely apologize for what has happened the last time. I really feel terrible about it... This was not something that I should be mad at you about...
No it’s okay. I’m sorry if any of my words upset you in any way shape or form. Aodhan told me you were too strict with yourself. He also told me he needs your help more than ever in order to protect Emain Macha.
[Aranwen]
Aodhan... he's a stubborn one, indeed.
...you must know that in no way do I ever deserve to be able to return to Emain Macha.
...
This was a long time ago... I was one of the Paladin knights of Emain Macha. It was my duty, and my purpose of life, to protect the weak and help keep their happiness intact. That was when I fell in love with this man. His name was…
...Redire... the leader of the Paladin knights in Emain Macha. His fighting technique was flawless, and he was a brave man. And his intelligence… gosh, he was so smart. Redire… was my hero.
Re.. Redire?!!
[Aranwen]
...after a while, he started recognizing me…
I think those were happy times.
One day, I received a letter from Redire. In the letter, he asked me to meet him at Gairech Hills under the red tree. I was supposed to be on duty, but... I've decided to switch the dates with someone else.
That's how we met that night, and... that's when we realized our feelings were mutual.
Redire and Aranwen...? Wait, if the story didn’t end right here… then what happened?
[Aranwen]
And... That day… a terrible tragedy happened in Emain Macha. By the time I came back everything was in shambles... The guard who had taken my shift ... was already dead.
I was really worried about Redire… He was in a position where he'll be held responsible for this. The news I heard next caught me off guard. The person who should have been responsible for this mess, Redire, apparently fled from the scene with the help of his men!
...Didn't even say a word to me as he left...
...And because of their positions as Paladin Knights, he was classified as Killed in Action, instead of a fugitive, and I was let off with a minor punishment... This just made me think twice about my reason for becoming a Paladin, and the intended purpose of the Paladin Knights. It all began to ring hollow to me.
Redire did what? It’s much different from what I heard from Price or Craig. I am confused… I don’t know who’s telling me the truth.
[Aranwen]
...He opted to save himself instead of protecting others, and didn't even seem to be embarrassed by it...
A person like that has no right to be a knight. ...Paladin? Please…
...and that's how I left Emain Macha. That's how I ended up in Dunbarton, and... started teaching combat, as a way of making up for my sins... I… can never forgive myself for having left the place just to chase someone I'd found attractive. I am doubly ashamed of the fact that I was attracted to that coward…
...Aodhan knows this, too. He just doesn't say it. Please tell him that I can't return to Emain Macha.
I didn’t know you were burdened by that… I’ll let Aodhan know.
Aodhan, I talked to Aranwen, but I was unsuccessful in bringing her back here.
Aranwen was still furious with herself over the fact that someone else died in place of her during the Tragedy of Emain Macha. She was also very upset that she felt attracted to Redire, despite some of his actions, including opting to choose his own happiness over others.
I don’t think she’s ready to return to Emain Macha. Not anytime soon.
[Aodhan]
...So that's why... She really said those words, right... The true purpose of a good deed is to protect others' happiness... and to those that can't do so, they don't deserve to be a knight...
...Okay, I understand. ...I'll just have to wait here until she really changes her mind.
Thank you for your help. I'm sorry I put you through this.
No worries. I’m sorry I couldn’t be of much help.
After ending the conversation with Aodhan, you’ll be able to complete the quest [Help Out the Struggling Soldier].
2) Broken Bolt
We may have finally wrapped up the concept of good deeds. Through helping out the residents of Emain Macha, we were also able to receive numerous helpful advices on what a good deed should be. What we came away with after helping out Aodhan is that a Paladin’s duty is to provide and protect happiness for others.
Now that we have a grasp on what a good deed is, shall we meet with Price? Where must he be this time around?
Price, I came to conclusion that a good deed for a Paladin is to serve and protect others’ happiness.
[Price]
Hm? ...That's your definition of a good deed...?
Yes. I was slowly coming to that conclusion while helping others out and the one that clinched it for me was the words that Aranwen spoke to me when I was helping Aodhan out. Aranwen was still furious with herself over the fact that someone else died during the Tragedy of Emain Macha in place of her… because she went to see Redire.
She also hammered home her belief that it’s wrong to strive for your own happiness at the expense of others...
[Price]
...Right...You're absolutely right... A good deed is protecting the happiness of others...
...The one who cannot protect the happiness of others does not have right to become a Paladin...
...Price? Are you okay?
The ever-present smile on Price’s face seemed… bittersweet to say the least.
[Price]
Did you say you heard this from....Aranwen...? Then...
...I guess I can give this to you...
Isn’t this a bolt used for Crossbow? Why is it snapped?
[Price]
Inside Coill forest... Use this item inside Coill Dungeon....
I have no idea what’s going on, but I’ll go to Coill Dungeon right now.
After the talk with Price, look into your inventory to find the ‘Broken Bolt’ and ‘Red Wing of the Goddess’. The Red Wing of the Goddess will take you straight to the lobby of the Coill Dungeon.
[Broken Bolt]
A broken bolt from Price. Offer this on the altar of Coill Dungeon alone, and see what happens.
Coill Dungeon is located north of Emain Macha. The dungeon created by using the broken bolt can only be entered alone.
As soon as we entered the map, we can see that the Dark Lord is battling the Paladin. Wait a minute… so this is the actual day of the Tragedy of Emain Macha?
[Redire]
Stop!!
[Rian]
...Redire! What took you so long!!
[Redire]
Sorry, my lord. Blast me later if you must, but… for now, please move behind me!!
[Morgant]
So…you must be Redire...?
[Redire]
Are… aren't you Dark Lord...? How did you end up in here…? Why did you attack the town of Emain Macha!!! Why did you kill those innocent people?!!
[Morgant]
I am here to take back what you have removed from me. My daughter....
[Redire]
What? I have no idea what you're talking about!
[Morgant]
I thought Paladins were a symbol of nobility and honesty...but I guess that only applies among humans...
…It seems that Paladins have no problem lying to Fomors.
[Redire]
In the name of all Paladins, we, in no way shape or form, jeopardize our honor by lying!
[Morgant]
Don't you remember invading Math Dungeon? You killed my men and even took my baby, don't you remember?
[Redire]
!!!
[Redire]
The baby at Math Dungeon....
…that baby… was a Fomor?
[Morgant]
Do not even try to tell me you didn't know... Why don't you tell me this instead? Your definition of justice for Paladins includes killing other lives and abducting a baby.
[Redire]
N… no! That's not it! There was a misunderstanding!!
[Morgant]
Well then... I would like to hear your response not with words, but with your sword!!!!
Unable to stop Morgant’s sword that was swinging right at them, Redire proceeds to lose his sword.
The lost sword directly went through Rian’s leg, which causes Rian to scream in great pain.
[Rian]
ARRRGGGHHH!!!
[Redire]
No!!!! My lord!!!
[Morgant]
Do you honestly believe that everything you've done was the right thing to do? If you aren't sure of things you did, then you will not have the strength to defend it, either.
As Morgant’s sword aimed towards Redire, the screen turns black.
[Esras]
Dark Lord, here's your child.Let's end this fight and forget about this. Leave this town immediately. Now!!
[Morgant]
...Good... as long as I find my Triona, I have no business with you. Let’s go!!!
[Esras]
...Arrest that Paladin.
He's the one that provided the cause for this inexplicable chain of events, yet paid little attention to his duties. Most of all, he injured my Lord...
...I cannot let this one slide...
Protect…who…for what...?
Am I…capable of being a Paladin?
Am I…capable of being a Paladin?
As the screen turns black, along with Redire’s soliloquy, you’ll be led back to the lobby of Coill Dungeon.
The Tragedy of Emain Macha first took place because of Redire’s mistake, and Lord Rian was injured in the battle. His soliloquy seems to suggest that he was in a great guilt trip. Where must he be…? And as for the person that gave us the bolt to let us see this in the first place, who really is Price?
After the viewing, you’ll acquire a new keyword called [Paladin Requirements].
3) Paladin Requirements
Find Price and talk to him using the keyword 'Paladin Requirements'.
Price, I was able to see what happened on that faithful day using the bolt you gave me.
I’ve been meaning to ask you this. Who are you?
[Price]
...Okay…I'll admit it. I am actually Redire, the one who walked away from the life of a Paladin... and who no longer believes in the meaning of a Paladin.
You can say that the tragedy in Emain Macha was my fault. So many people, including Aranwen, had to suffer... Bringing out the Fomor's child with us brought that calamity upon us...
We made an error in staying alert from Fomor attack based on their tendencies... and as I rushed to cover my mistakes, I accidentally cut the Lord whom I was escorting to safety.
...Everything is my fault.
Price ...
[Redire]
If I was anyone else… I should've been executed. If my subordinates who were against it didn't come and rescue me…
...I wouldn't still be alive. I tried to wash away my disgrace by faking my death… but after I heard from my subordinates that it could've been a ploy that Esras was using to take over the Paladins, I changed my mind.
Well… to be honest… I wanted to live. I couldn't die with such dishonor.
...I used the persuasion of my subordinates as an excuse and decided to live. Not as a Paladin… but a life of a fugitive…
...I was so ashamed that I couldn't dare come back to this place… Even though I chose to live rather than die, I wasted away my days with alcohol as my only companion.
...And after a long time had passed… the subordinate who rescued me contacted me. To come back to Emain Macha...
...He said something was up with Lord Rian and Esras. He wanted me to come back and uncover whatever Esras was scheming.
...I contemplated for a long time. It was a struggle...
But… once I finally came here… people didn't recognize me. Since I was no longer a Paladin... people only viewed me as a wandering merchant... But what really startled me... was that everyone believed my disappearance as a death. Although I was actually the cause of Emain Macha's tragedy, people mistakenly viewed me as the hero who lost his life while trying to save the city from the tragedy.
...I felt somewhat relieved... But…as I look at you... who is striving to... find true justice and good... I couldn't hide any longer in this lie... I have made up my mind. This time I won't run…but face my consequences.
...I have been investigating on my own to uncover what Esras might be up to. Hopefully I can wash away a part of my sins I have done against the Lord and against the people.
I didn’t do anything… but if it helped you get rejuvenated, then that’s awesome.
Oh, but Price, I mean Redire, if those strange rumors are floating around without you knowing it… then that means someone’s responsible for it. This sounds very suspicious.
[Redire]
...If you ever need my help, let me know. I will be continually investigating Esras.
...And...
What is it?
[Redire]
Thanks...
Redire’s thanks seem very heartbreaking to say the least. We can’t even begin to imagine how guilt-ridden he must have been.
So in conclusion, Price is actually Redire, and Redire’s rumors have been spread by someone else with intent on distorting the truth. The most likely candidate is the prime minister of Emain Macha, Esras. The name Esras still sounds a bit odd, but Redire promised to check up on Esras as well.
The next episode will deal with the steps that need to be taken to become a Paladin, and what will happen after the good deeds are performed.
[Note 1]
Broken Bolt is a dungeon for 1, and if you were unable to view the movie midway through, then talk to Price once more and receive the [Broken Bolt].