Andrew Allen - Writing Showcase 002 - Project Lyria - Initial Intro Game Script

Hello all!

Please see below the initial game script for the first narrative section of the game design I am working on "Project Lyria"

Enjoy!

OPEN ON: 

EXT. LARGE GRASSY FIELD - DAY

It's a warm summers day. BIRDS CHIRPING can be heard, BEES BUZZING among the colorful mass of flowers dotted in the field. A slight warm breeze RUSTLES through the tall grass, and there is not a cloud in the sky. 

A child bursts INTO VIEW, running through the field. He is a VILLAGE BOY, around 8 years of age, wearing simple clothing. A smile beams across his face as he bursts into giddy laughter, his hands outstretched as he runs furthermore. 

Suddenly a RUMBLE breaks the peace. The boy stops running, and turns. 

2. ANGLE BEHIND BOYS HEAD - 7 KINGDOMS ON THE HORIZON

Seen at first from the view of the child, we see the KINGDOMS OF LYRIA - each being engulfed by a LARGE STORM of shadow and darkness. 

3. BACK TO SCENE

As the storm rages, the boy turns to see his HOMESTEAD in the distance. He starts running towards it. He turns back as he continues to run, to see the once luscious field, being extracted of color, it being eroded from the horizon towards him. Panic stricken, he increases his pace back towards home, towards safety. 

4. BOY HOMESTEAD - VIEW OF PORCH

We see the MOTHER OF THE CHILD, looking out across the horizon. The wash basket falls from her hands as she screams, seeing the STORM rushing towards her son. Frozen at the sight, all she can do is hold out her hand for her SON. 

5. BACK TO SCENE

The BOY keeps running, his legs burning from trying to escape the DARK, the VOID. He leaps in mid air, and in this moment time freezes. The boy is suspended in mid air. His hand touches his mothers. She too is frozen, UN-moving, as the VOID rids all life, all color and freezes the small town into nothingness... 

FADE OUT.

FADE IN:

BEGIN FLASHBACK:

VOICEOVER

The catastrophe... No one expected it, and are unsure what caused it. One day all was fine in the lands of LYRIA. People prospered, thrived, and peace was felt across the lands. The next, well... here we are.. Even the GUARDIANS couldn't protect us. The beacons of hope for each kingdom now corrupted, twisted, encapsulated by the VOID. We are at a loss... Two years have passed since that day...

FADE OUT

FADE IN:

EXT. SMALL OUTCROP OUTSIDE CAMP - LYRIA HEARTLANDS

HERO (you) adjusts scabbard around your waste as you stand up from the outcrop. You venture through camp as we see a few makeshift tents in place, with some families and supplies all around the tents. Nothing much, just the essentials. The camp looks somewhat run down. LIGHT BUZZ OF CONVERSATION is heard as you walk through the camp towards the OPERATIONS TENT

INT. OPERATIONS TENT

Inside the tent are familiar faces to you. We see HARKEN, BURTON, CORLAV and SOLTUN, representatives of the resources and options available whilst inside CAMP. In the center of the TENT there is a large table with a map of LYRIA and the lands that encompass it. There are scribbles, and notes on other pieces of paper scattered across the table also.

HARKEN

(TO HERO)

Ah, you're here, we can begin!

HARKEN beckons you forward to stand at the table with the others. 

HARKEN (CONT'D)

As you are well aware, the VOID happened unexpectedly two years to the date. The rest of the known land is still corrupted and frozen. Luckily, the few here have managed to break free from some of the curse, and are at least able to move and talk freely. As such, this base of operations was set up, so that we could gather Intel and decide what to do about this. The time to strike is now. It will be a long arduous journey, but we will give you all the information that you need

HARKEN turns to look at HERO. There is determination is his eyes, but also hope, hoping that the HERO will be the savior (or at least one of them), that can rid the world of this threat.

HERO

I am ready

HARKEN smiles, nods, and carries on with his briefing

HARKEN

As you know, LYRIA is split between the seven kingdoms

HARKEN leans over the table and points to the large map on there

HARKEN (CONT'D)

We have reason to believe that the VOID started here, in the kingdom of the crimson city

HARKEN points on the map to the reddish hue colored territory, with a small drawing of a large castle in the center of the territory. 

HARKEN (CONT'D)

We have sent search parties out, and tried to make contact with the city, but to no avail. Our sources say that the once sweet scent of roses that welcomed visitors to the city has now turned sour, and the once luscious plant life and leaves have twisted into vines and thorns that have engulfed the city. It seems almost impenetrable

HERO

(TO HARKEN)

So where does that leave me?

HARKEN

(TO HERO)

We have a source from the Crimson City. They are willing to aid you in dealing with the threats that lie within, and hopefully get some answers to how this started, and hopefully how to end it. 

HARKEN turns and beckons another forward. ENTER ERULA. An Aelf, tall, beautiful, wearing elegantly detailed and fitting Armour and a rapier by their side. 

HARKEN (CONT'D)

This is ERULA. She is one of the warriors of the Red Rose. She managed to escape the VOID that has corrupted the city and made it here a few days ago. 

ERULA

(TO HARKEN)

I thank you for your hospitality and trust in this matter. 

ERULA (CONT'D)

As has already been discussed already, the CRIMSON CITY is in turmoil. The VOID has corrupted the city to it's core. My friends

ERULA pauses, tears building in her eyes

ERULA (CONT'D)

Once the bravest warriors I know, are now twisted, hideous things with no soul and no life. The QUEEN has gone mad, and has shut herself inside her CASTLE CRYPT. 

ERULA steps towards the table, and points at a piece of paper depicting a map of the CRIMSON CITY

ERULA (CONT'D)

There is a way in through here. An old abandoned entrance way into the city. I can take you there, but, I daresay I do not wish to step foot back inside that place without help. 

ERULA turns to HERO longingly, fear, but grit on her face. 

ERULA (CONT'D)

That is as much as I can tell you. I am sorry I don't have any more. 

ERULA sighs, wiping tears from her eyes, pain seen across her face, especially when talking and discussing these matters

HARKEN

(TO ERULA)

You have been more than enough help this day ERULA, and we thank you dearly. 

HARKEN places a hand on each of ERULA's shoulders. 

HARKEN (CONT'D)

(TO HERO)

We have made the necessary arrangements, and have provisions and any weapons that will be needed for this journey. Are there any more questions?

HARKEN turns to HERO at this time

HERO

(TO HARKEN)

How are we to get to the Crimson City?

HARKEN

(TO HERO)

You can take a couple of the horses that are here. We managed to salvage them from the LOCAL VILLAGE just north of here. Be warned - creatures are somehow becoming awakened once again, and we are unsure how the VOID has affected them

HERO

(TO HARKEN)

Thanks

HERO (CONT'D)

(TO ERULA)

You say corrupted - how?

ERULA shudders

ERULA

(TO HERO)

Their features stretched, and some have grown wings out of their backs. They wail and scream and circle the skies, cackling and screeching. Some still reside on the floor, pacing back and forth, searching for any signs of movement

HERO

(TO ERULA (OPTION 1)

We'll do what we can to help them

ERULA

(TO HERO (OPTION 1 REPLY)

My thanks to you

HERO

(TO ERULA (OPTION 2)

Foul creatures! We will rid this world of them!

ERULA

(TO HERO (OPTION 2)

Those creatures are and were my friends! My family! I'd rather help rid them of this curse than do the unspeakable

HERO

(TO ERULA)

How many roughly did you see in the city?

ERULA

(TO HERO)

I would say 50, maybe 100. It's hard to tell. The remainder of the townsfolk have either vanished, or are frozen like so many of the others. I managed to escaped and tried to fend some of them off whilst doing so. Luckily, I made it out alive

HERO

(TO HARKEN)

Is there anyone else that can help us along the way?

HARKEN

(TO HERO)

I have no knowledge of anyone around the area that could help us in this. 

CORLAV

I'll have a scouting party sent ahead to see what they can find. You may see them on the road in a few days

SOLTUN

Oooh. Unsure how I can help I'm afraid. My deepest apologies. But, come see my wares before you go

Harken surveys the room and his eyes rest on HERO

HARKEN

Right. Well, I suggest you get some rest. You'll need it for the journey ahead. 

EXIT SULTAN, CORLAV, BURTON, ERULA, HARKEN. 

CUT TO:

HERO is now free to explore. Options available to the HERO: See the smithy, see the TRADER, check on scouting parties, speak to HARKEn, speak to ERULA, rest at HOMESTEAD

END