Lore/Story (Homebrew Charon Quest Storyline 1/3): Pit of the Dead

First actual attempt at a full, in-depth, "I tried" quest rework.
This is 1/3 in the Charon Questline. He is really strong in lore. Let's make him more than a one-off villain and turn him into the first BBEG of Wynncraft.
The other two quests are The Dark Descent (which will have some additions/modifications) and Lost Tower (which will be completely removed and a new quest added in its place to round out the storyline before the dungeon. The tower itself would likely be replaced by a cave ig)

Guys, I really tried with this one but it might still be dogshit, so give feedback. I don't expect this to be implemented, but maybe it could inspire some artwork or some shit idk. Or nothing... that's more likely.

Synopsis:
The Pit of the Dead outside Nemract has held the first instance of a corruption massacre against the people of Wynn. But behavior by nearby skeletons show that something strange is happening within the pit itself, and there is more history to this place than what meets the eye. Uncover the pit's mysteries and get out... if you still can...

Pit of the Dead - Lv 20 - Length: Long

Stage 1: Talk to Merloni in Nemract at [210, 37, -2150]

• Merloni: Would you like to hear the tale of the pit of the dead?
  
  
• Merloni: It is the pit where the corpses of the poor miners who discovered what is now named the Portal are buried.
  
  
• Merloni: Those that had not already died had to be executed due to the insanity brought on from the corruption.
  
  
• Merloni: What are you looking at me for? Do you think I just stand here all day telling people this story?
  
  
• Merloni: No… I was looking for a traveller like yourself for some… assistance.
  
  
• Merloni: You see, recently, I saw something very strange. Some skeletons outside town had started dragging corpses of some of the recently fallen guards into the pit.
  
  
• Merloni: When this happened a few years ago, I thought that it might have been some random event. But now that it’s happened again…
  
  
• Merloni: I need you to investigate it for me. I will accompany you to the site and help you with getting in (and out) of the pit.
  

Stage 2: Enter the pit at [356, 58, -1914] and get lowered down.

[Merloni walks to the pit when you are close]

• Merloni: Alright, we’re here. Now, let’s hope that some corrupt don’t start heading this way, as I’m not too inclined to get eaten alive.
  
  
• Merloni: Just try to be quick, ok? Worst case scenario, I tie the rope to a sturdy rock and have to run away. You should be able to make it up.
  
  
• Merloni: Ready? Ok, here we go…
  

[You are lowered into the pit by a rope] ← Likely can be done with a lead and slow falling

• Merloni: Errgh- You’re REALLY heavy with all that armor…
  

[You continue to be lowered down]

• Merloni: *heavy breathing* al-almost there… I think. Is it just my arms getting tired or do you feel like you’re getting heavier? Might have to get a few people to get you out…
  
  
• You suddenly feel extremely heavy, like you’re being pulled down by something
  
  
• Merloni: ERGH! T-too heavy! I-I’m slipping! NOOO!!! AHHH!
  

[Merloni falls off the cliff, plummeting you both into the pit.]


Stage 3: Explore the pit and find Merloni

[You are in a dark space with black walls. There are some elevation changes present in the room. It is surrounded by water. You can see out of the pit, but the sky is much darker than before.]

• You appear to be relatively uninjuried. Apparently the fall wasn’t that high for you. It certainly was for Merloni… You should try to find him.
  

[Merloni’s body isn’t in this room. There are a few other corpses around that were thrown in here by skeletons, but none of them appear to be Merloni’s. Approaching each one increases the number of bodies found. After checking them all, a dialogue appears]

• He doesn’t seem to be in here. Maybe he somehow landed in the water…
  

[After this dialogue, the player approaches the water ring around the cave. Suddenly, they hear a strange noise behind them. The “souls” (likely some form of invisible armor stand) of the corpses will move toward one another, and appear to merge, forming a miniboss that must be killed to progress.]

• What is that thing?!
  

Stage 4: Kill the soul monster and explore the river.


[The creature gives out a vicious roar and starts attacking]


Soul Amalgamation

Lv 25

2500 HP

Melee AI

Spells: Pull, Vanish

Def: Water, Air

Dam: Water

Weak: Thunder

No Drops

Location: Pit of the Dead

• Whatever that was, it’s dead… again?
  
  
• Maybe now search the river?
  

[When the player steps foot in the river]:

• This water feels weird. That feeling of being pulled down has returned.
  
  
• [Soon after you step foot in the water, a ghast shriek plays and you are sucked under the water, the screen goes black.]
  
  
• ???: Hello.
  

Stage 5: Talk to the strange entity.

[You are now within what looks like a kind of living space. The area connects to a larger cave outside with a river.]

• ???: I’m truly sorry for what happened to your friend back there, but the pit must claim those who attempt to enter it. He decided to hold on to that rope.
  

[The figure presents itself. It appears to be a reanimated form of Merloni, with obvious damages to his figure]. <- Reskin of Merloni probably.

• Merloni? : If you haven’t noticed, there is a lot of “soul” magic here. I am not Merloni, but rather a long dead spirit.
  
  
• Spirit: Come. Sit. Have some refreshments. I only get “visitors” once every century or so…
  
  
  • [1]: You killed Merloni.
    
    
    • Spirit: Look, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for him to die. His form is of very little use to me.
      
      
    • Spirit: Would you rather me turn into my spectral form?
      
      
      • [1]: Get out of his body.
        
        
        • Merloni’s body drops as the spirit presents itself before you.
          
          
        • [The dialogue tree merges here]
          
      • [2]: I don’t care. Just tell me who you are.
        
        
        • [The dialogue tree merges here]
          
  • [2]: “Visitors?”
    
    
    • Spirit: Not everyone who falls into the pit dies. Some even make it out!
      
      
    • Spirit: I’m guessing he hired you to investigate this place. It’s a shame what happened…
      
      
    • [The dialogue tree merges here]
      
  • [3]: Have any Nemract Whiskey?
    
    
    • Spirit: N-nemract, you say? How is that city?
      
      
    • Spirit: Have only heard that “visitors” were from that place. Never actually found out what it’s like?
      
      
    • Spirit: Oh right, refreshments… I only have water. From the river. Don’t worry, it’s just rainwater…
      
      
    • [The dialogue tree merges here]
      

[If possible, a cutscene, perhaps with silhouettes to disguise characters like CoW, could be implemented to make this long exposition more interesting]

• Spirit: Well, I guess I should explain who I am. You are familiar with the Portal, yes?
  
  
• Spirit: I was once one of the miners who worked there. One day we discovered a strange purple crystal wall in a new cavern.
  
  
• Spirit: …Someone wanted to excavate it. You know what happened next. The entire thing shattered, a rift appearing in its place. Our captain went in with a few others.
  
  
• Spirit: Soon after, they returned. You know the rest of the story. We were slaughtered.
  
  
• Spirit: Those who didn’t die went insane by the wounds inflicted by the province’s first undead. They would soon be killed.
  
  
• Spirit: We were brought here, to a place where we could not attack once more if our bodies rose.
  
  
• Spirit: And rise we did. You would think that like the rest of the corrupt creatures, we would be, well, dumb. Unorganized. Chaotic.
  
  
• Spirit: Something else was influencing our minds. Focusing, merging them together. We were aware of what had been done to us. Executed, tossed away, left to rot.
  
  
• Spirit: We wanted revenge. It was not just our minds that coalesced together, but our souls. The hundreds of miners that had been put to rest, all merged into one being.
  
  
• Spirit: Such power… immense. Unstoppable. Fortunately for the humans, they took precautions.
  
  
• Spirit: Not yet knowing of what the corruption was capable of, they feared this pit would not contain us. And so, they sealed us away with a soul barrier. Ironically, the undead, with their souls long gone, would have been able to pass through easily…
  
  
• Spirit: But us… a being of souls… we were forced to find another way out. Looks down anxiously. Regardless, we were free to roam the surface and wreak havoc on our imprisoners.
  
  
• Spirit: I… splintered off from them. My mind managed to retain more independence than the others. Since I was never executed…
  
  
• Spirit: I saw no reason to seek revenge. And so, I slipped away. But they found me. They trapped me here. And here we are.
  
  
• Spirit: Will you help me?
  
  
  • [1]: Yes!
    
    
    • Spirit: Thank you! Follow me!
      
  • [2]: Why should I?
    
    
    • Spirit: Please. I have been trapped here for 1000 years.
      
      
    • Spirit: Also… I am not sure that you can actually make it out without me. All I know is that those who leave me here don’t come back.
      
      
    • Spirit: Maybe they made it out… Maybe not.
      
      
    • Spirit: Listen. I can help you in the future. They are still out there. I know how to deal with them. Please. Follow me.
      

Stage 6: Follow the spirit.

[You are walking along the side of an underground river. The spirit is in is spectral form now regardless]

• Spirit: I just realized I never told you my name. Seemed a bit less important than the rest.
  
  
• Spirit: I was named Elosier. But, after 1000 years of imprisonment, I think Allen suits me better.
  
  
• Elosier: That was a joke. *sigh* Oh well.
  

[5 Restless Souls jump out of the river].

• Elosier: I should have warned you about this… Let’s just put them to rest…
  

Restless Soul

Lv 25

HP: 250

Ranged AI

Spells:

Vanish

Def: Water

Dam: Water

Weak: Thunder

No Drops

Location: Pit of the Dead (river)

• Elosier: Well, that was certainly fast. You are much more powerful than the other ones. We might have a chance…
  
  
• Elosier: There is more danger to come, however.
  
  
  • [1]: Why were skeletons dragging bodies down here?
    
    
    • Elosier: Well, I figured that if I could get some guard corpses down here, they would be a suitable host for me to inhabit for what we now have to do together.
      
      
    • Elosier: It takes a long time for me to be able to influence the corrupt like that… I’ve used dead corpses so many times, but it never works.
      
      
    • Elosier: But what else am I supposed to do?
      
  • [2]: Why were you able to retain your mind when the others couldn’t?
    
    
    • Elosier: I… don’t really know. I just managed to be part of the others while also being myself…
      
• Elosier: Aaaand here we are… where corruption meets soul…the river phlegethon.
  

[The water river now ends. There is a “dam” of corruption which turns it into a river of lava].

• Elosier: Now all we have to do is navigate this river. The boat is over here!
  
  
• You see a rusty metal heap where he motions to.
  
  
  • [1]: That thing?!
    
    
    • Elosier: I fashioned it myself… You know, from bits of armor and stuff. There were a lot more bodies down here before I… well, you know. Lava.
      
  • [2]: If it works, it works…
    
    
    • Elosier: That’s the spirit. *heh* “spirit”.
      

Stage 7: Survive the river

• Elosier: Come to think of it, how DID the others get across the river themselves? Climbed the walls I suppose? I think we both know the more likely option turns to the river and grins.
  
  
• Elosier: Let’s… try not to join them…
  

[You begin to flow down the river]

• Elosier: Ouch! I’m a spirit and even then that still burns… We better get to the.. place soon because I really don’t think that your armor is going to protect you from the heat for too long…
  
  
• Elosier: Hey! Watch out for those spikes! Steer us clear out of the way!
  

[1 minute timer begins. You are in control of a small metal boat. You can move the boat left or right by standing on either side, which is indicated by particles. There are corruption spikes and geysers that you must navigate between. They come decently fast but you can take 3 hits before dying. Each hit also reduces time by 10s.]

• Elosier: You’re pretty good at this! I think we are almost there! Just a little mo-
  

[You are hit by a massive geyser that destroys the boat and rockets you both to a nearby ledge.]

• Elosier: AHHHHH!
  
  
• Elosier: Thank bovine for this shore right here… I’d have to wait for another adventurer AND get a new boat otherwise grins.
  
  
• Elosier: I have a feeling that you aren't a fan of my sense of humor. Regardless, it appears that the end of the river is directly ahead… I think we can use these spikes to get over.
  

Stage 8: Cross over to the end of the river

[You have some parkour over some corruption spikes. Some of the jumps are impossible however. Movement spells are disabled.]

• Elosier: That next jump looks too far for you… Don’t worry. I will boost you to the other side.
  

[+1 Elosier’s Soul: right click with this item to boost you up in the air. Can only be used once before touching ground]

• Elosier: Use this to make the jump.
  

[There are a couple jumps like these. You at one point also need to time the jump through a geyser.]

• Elosier: Finally! We are here!
  

[You see the lava river flowing into a lava fall into a massive hole with soul particles coming out. There is also a small shrine. Suddenly, you are ambushed by 7 Fiery Spirits]

• Elosier: Not again! Kill them fast! We are almost out… I haven’t made it this far to fail…
  

Fiery Spirits

Lv 25

HP: 500

Melee AI

Spells:

Flamethrower

Def: Fire

Dam: Fire

Weak: Water

No Drops

Location: Pit of the Dead (river)


[Upon 4/7 killed]

• Elosier: Oh god I recognize some of these people. Guess I was right about the whole “dying in the river thing”, huh…
  

[Upon 7/7 killed]

• Elosier: Phew… Well… we are here. Finally, I’m almost out.
  
  
• Elosier: You see that shrine? That’s our ticket home. It will bring us to the surface.
  
  
• Elosier: The reason I’ve been trapped down here is not because I couldn’t make it (I can fly after all) but rather… I need a physical form. And based on all my tries with reanimated corpses… one that is alive and willing.
  
  
• Elosier: I have been trapped here for 1000 years… Please… grant me freedom…
  
  
  • [1]: Where does that hole lead to?
    
    
    • Elosier: We are not going down there. It still remains… too strong… at least in its own lair…
      
      
      • [1]: Who??!!
        
        
        • Elosier: My… former self. It still lives. Nothing will be accomplished down there…
          
      • [2]: But where does it go?
        
        
        • Elosier: …Fine. It leads to our original escape… the Underworld. I… wish not to talk about what happened. I will explain later. Please… let's go.
          
  • [2]: Why does this river even exist?
    
    
    • Elosier: There… there was a reason we were buried here specifically… Soul magic is strong at this specific location. This is a natural entrance to… the Underworld.
      
      
    • Elosier: The mages who sealed us away knew that the spell would be strongest here, close to the influence of the Soul World.
      
      
    • Elosier: Unknowingly, this plan led to us having an escape route… Please do not press me further on this.
      
  • [3]: This shrine exists why???
    
    
    • Elosier: I… I- You are making me relive haunting memories. Please. Stop. Let’s leave.
      
      
    • [1]: Tell me now.
      
      
      • Elosier: Sobs fine. It was… a “gift” the Underworld gave us after we… “reformed” their society.
        
        
      • Elosier: Without it… we would still be stuck down here. We needed a way past the barrier. This granted it to us.
        
        
      • Elosier: Unfortunately, it appears the others modified it so only a living person could pass through. So I would be trapped forever.
        
        
      • Elosier: Please… I want to leave…
        
    • [2]: …Fine. Let’s go.
      

Stage 9: Escape the pit.

• Elosier: Alright. Hold still. This may hurt a bit, but I swear I’m not going to possess your soul or anything. Just need someone to attach to.
  

[You feel Elosier enter your body as a cold sensation freezes all your insides. You seem to have retained control of your body, however.]

• Elosier: YES! It worked! Alright. Just walk into the shrine and we will be free!
  

[You enter and are teleported out. Elosier exits your body and you see him screaming at the pit nearby]

• Elosier: HahahahahahhahHAHAHHAHHAA YES! 1000 YEARS OF SUFFERING IS OVER! CHARON, THOU HAST DONE ME MORE HARM THAN THE HUMANS EVER DID TO ALL OF US! I WILL STOP YOU. I WILL END YOU. This time, I won’t be so passive! I know your weakness!
  

[He looks over at you]

• Elosier: How… how much did you hear?
  
  
• Elosier: All of it? Yeah… that makes sense. Listen… I would explain but… I… I haven’t been outside for 1000 years. I want to have a breather. One day, you will know our enemy.
  
  
• Elosier: I will say this. I do know more than I let on. Kinda hard not to figure out how this all happened given 1000 years. Just know… I will help you in this fight. You’re going to need it.
  
  
• Elosier: I left a little way of us communicating when I possessed you. So we will keep in touch.
  
  
• Elosier: Knowing him… I bet he will still be in the same place. Go to the ruins of the first destroyed city in the War. I am certain he will more than happy to demonstrate what he has done. You’ll see.
  
  
• Elosier: …Thank you for everything. I am off to see Nemract (invisible of course). See you around.
  

END OF QUEST