To be honest I've not finished playing Legend of Grimrock (LoG). I have seen a number of posts that infer to me where LoG will end. I also know that the LoG team have some pretty set ideas of where they want to go with development. But for my need to be a storyteller here is how I might open Grimrock II.
Our characters exit the formidable Mount Grimrock - still bound to each other. They have little food and know that where ever they go they will be accused of being prisoners - by looks alone. They look out across open land which ought otherwise should say to them 'freedom'.
Character D: We've made it this far ...
Character C: ... only be out of food and chances.
Character B: How utterly ironic.
Character C: These bonds are as solid as they were when were left here.
A pause occurs between them.
Character D: Doesn't that seem a bit strange to any you?
Character B and C: YES!
Character B: Everything else around us has worn out or has a destruction point. But the bounds are different ...
Character C: Their HIGH Magic ... Damn. And we don't know how to release them ...
Character A: Yes we do! [they hum the first 10 notes of the Grimrock theme song] COME!
They move through the country side and track their way to a village. The character moves them towards a Inn. The other 3 pull them back.
"What are you doing? Your going to get us ALL killed"
"No, I won't. IF you give me one last moment of trust we will have more than just our lives. Please ... trust." The other three finally realize there is not much to loose. "Follow my lead the best you can." They walk into the Inn. The room is crowded and seems friendly.
The barkeep looks up, "WE don't welcome your type. IT would best for you to return to where you came from ... or we'll do it for you ..." The room grinds to a dead silence. All eyes are focused on them.
"WE are freemen ... for we HAVE survived Grimrock!" Character A says.
"NO-one comes from Grimlock!" A voice is heard. "No-one!"
"And just how would you KNOW?" Character B retorts. "HAVE you seen the horrors of Grimrock enough to say that No-one can come FROM Grimlock?"
A lady steps forward, "And even if you did come from Grimrock you couldn't even begin to prove it! I say they're taken in ..."
"I say we CAN prove it." Character A says quietly. "Would any of you deny a innocent person their truth?"
A murmur passes through the Inn. The barkeep "Then prove your words quick or we'll take you back!"
The characters one by one ask for the use of musical instruments. "and we shall."
the other three turn to the first and ask, "What do we play?"
"The Legend of Grimrock ... of course!"
"But ... that's a children's song. They'll never put up with it." Character C notes.
"It is. But that is the deception. Where better to put a counter spell? Play for your FREEDOM!" Character A states calmly.
The four begin playing. The viewers seem to be held by their presence. Four YOUNG patrons step forward to face them ... to sing the what turns out to be the refrain of the song. Each of the four respond with a lyric which reflects their battles and sorrow of their journey from Grimrock. AT the end of each lyric offered the bounds of them cease to be. With each successive refrain more and more of the guests join in.
The four stand unbound to one another. They return the loaned instruments. There is a pause. "Bring these people food and drink, for they are indeed freemen!" The barkeep says. "They deserve a feast they will never forget!"
Character D speaking to the barkeep, "Good man, We owe someone a great debt of thanks for our freedom. Do you know of a person by the name of ..."
And so begins Grimrock II ...
Peter Kelley / MstrPBK
St. Paul, MN USA