Knoll and Saleh

Sorry I've been gone awhile but I've been working on another story. Still I recently started playing SS again and decided to add a new conversation. A few people requested one for Knoll and I was planning on doing one for him anyways. But I couldn't figure out who to support him with, then I saw that Saleh doesn't have that many either so I decided on him. Plus they're both wise people so I figured it would work.

Support: C

SALEH: …..Are you alright?!

KNOLL:…

SALEH: Excuse me sir are you well?

KNOLL:… Oh pay me no mind I was lost in thought.

SALEH: I've been noticing that you seem lost often, but your face also looks filled with regret.

KNOLL: You are good at reading people.

SALEH: Your name is Knoll right? I've heard that you were one of the mages who studied the dark stone.

KNOLL: I know of you as well. Even before this war started I had heard of the mysterious Saleh. You were described by my master as a wild man who lived in the mountains and was perfectly in touch with nature.

SALEH: I suppose descriptions are often over exaggerated.

KNOLL: Perhaps but I still feel honored to finally meet you… Though I wish it were under different circumstances. You must feel ashamed even being near me.

SALEH: Why do you say that?

KNOLL: Surely you know by now, it was my fault this war started it is my fault that so many are dead and even more are suffering.

SALEH: Do you feel it is your fault? Or has someone else told you it was your fault?

KNOLL:…. Both, before Father Mc. Gregor was executed we were in a cell together. He spent most of the time berating me for causing this catastrophe. He even once tried to attack me and the guards had to pull him off. I did not resist at all for at that moment I wanted nothing more than to die.

SALEH: And yet here you are fighting in this army to bring an end to this war. Your death would have served no one and your soul would have been tormented forever.

KNOLL: What soul?! I gave my soul up to pursue blasphemous knowledge that was better left alone.

SALEH: …. I think you are mistaken though I see my words alone cannot comfort you…. Perhaps there is another way. Have you ever heard of Valega?

KNOLL: No.

SALEH: I thought not, it's not widely known outside Caer Pelyn. It is a sort of meditation. If you permit me I will teach you perhaps it will help you be at peace.

KNOLL:… Very well, show me.

Support: B

SALEH: Knoll how are you feeling?

KNOLL:… Honestly I feel no different.

SALEH: Have you been finding time to contemplate?

KNOLL: Yes and every time I do I still come to the same conclusion that this war is my fault.

SALEH:…..

KNOLL: I always thought that the pursuit of knowledge was one of the greatest and most unselfish pursuits. Knowledge brings understanding and understanding brings reason and logic. When I first saw how Prince Lyon saved a burned little girl from death I thought that this magic might have astounding ramifications for good use. Never did I imagine that it would bring about such tragedy.

SALEH: I too have pursued knowledge all my life and I too have almost gone beyond the abyss.

KNOLL: What do you mean?

SALEH: Most people don't know this but the dragons have penned their own books. Books filled with knowledge that no human has ever even imagined. There are things in these books that would seem like miracles and I am fortunate enough to have such a book.

KNOLL: And what does it teach you to do?

SALEH: Have you ever heard of Quintessence?

KNOLL: Only rumors. Some of the mages say that it is what gives all things life.

SALEH: That's close enough. The dragons know how to manipulate this energy and how to use it to accomplish different things. But in order to do anything significant you need large amounts of it. And dragons are the only beings that have enough Quintessence to really use it properly.

KNOLL: So the book taught how to manipulate this Quintessence.

SALEH: Yes, it can mainly be used for healing injuries and extending life. It is why dragons are so tough and why they live for so long. My mother was suffering from an illness and I wanted to use Quintessence to help heal her.

KNOLL: So you tried to draw it out of a living being?

SALEH: Yes, a horse, it was large enough that it had a significant amount. But I didn't know that if you take all the Quintessence out of a living being you will kill it.

KNOLL:… Is that what happened?!

SALEH: Yes, but I didn't care I tried to use what I had gained to heal my mother but I didn't do it properly and she died. I have always believed that it was my interference that killed her.

KNOLL: That must have felt terrible.

SALEH: I was horrified at what I did. I told my grandmother and she agreed that some things should not be trifled with. But she never blamed me for my mother's death and told me many times that I was not responsible for her death. But it still took me years to recover. I sealed the book and locked it away and have never opened it again.

KNOLL: See already after this story you have told me and after what I have done I should think better than to try and trifle with such things. But my curiosity has been peaked. I wish I could see that book. And for that feeling I feel terrible.

SALEH: There is nothing wrong with the pursuit of knowledge, in and of itself. Nor is there anything wrong with the feeling of wanting to help others. What makes us human is our desire to want to know more.

KNOLL: And yet still. Look at what has happened

SALEH: I'm not saying there's an easy answer. You just have to keep contemplating and try and find what you think is the best answer.

Support: A

KNOLL: Master Saleh.

SALEH: Yes?!

KNOLL: I want to thank you for teaching me Valega. Recently I have begun to feel at peace.

SALEH: I am glad to hear that. So you have found your own answer?!

KNOLL: No I don't think I ever will. But I understand now why we are fighting and I believe that we will win. And I still know of one thing. The earthquake that will happen in a few years time, that is still knowledge that I can use and I will do my best to help those affected by it. Prince Lyon would have done the same.

SALEH: So that is why….. you foresaw an earthquake that would happen in Grado.

KNOLL: It was the main catalyst that spurred us to complete our studies. Lyon knew this would happen and wanted to prevent the suffering that such an event would cause.

SALEH:… I see. It is said by some that dragons also have the ability to see into the future. They are able to perceive some things from it. And yet perhaps we as men are not supposed to have such knowledge, though already my curiosity is peaked.

KNOLL: Are you so tempted that you might open your book again?!

SALEH: No I don't think I will. I have come to understand the balance between the quest for knowledge and the abuse of power. Maybe it is something that we should strive to teach all scholars. They should understand that just because you can do something doesn't mean that you should.

KNOLL: I agree….. Master Saleh may I ask you something?

SALEH: Of course, what is it?

KNOLL: When this war ends do you think I could visit Caer Pelyn.

SALEH: Certainly you are welcome anytime.

KNOLL: I think that I would like to find some inner peace for myself. And a secluded village in the mountains sounds like the perfect place.

SALEH: So many of the villagers feel the same they are perfectly content to live secluded away from the rest of the world. And in our village we strive to live balanced lives free from stress or worldly possessions.

KNOLL: To finally find peace…..my soul longs for that.

SALEH: So you do feel that you still have a soul?

KNOLL:…. Yes and I will spend the rest of my life making sure my soul is never troubled again.

End of Game

Nothing happens at the end of the game. An "A" Support doesn't make them do anything special