"Two households, both alike in dignity, in fair Verona, where we lay our scene..."
Once upon a time, in a place far, far away, there was a tower that stood in the middle of the ocean, go figure how they managed that. On it, there was a city called Wystern, known as the City of Swords, albeit they also had a variety of spears, drills, axes, knuckles and kitchen appliances for sale.
In this city there were two guilds of blacksmiths who called themselves craftknights, because it sounds way cooler than plain old blacksmith. One was the Gold Guild and the other the Silver Guild. The Gold Guild was managed by Libody who had a son named Varyl.
The Silver Guild was managed by Bron, who had an apprentice named Pratty, though we all know he would love to make her his step-daughter. Pratty was the only child of the late Master Craftlord of Iron, Shintetsu, except for her twin brother Cleru, who lived in an alternate dimension. Shintetsu passed away three years prior to the start of the gameplay, protecting Wystern from Parista, a powerful summon creature.
Since then raised by her mother, Amariss, Pratty trained with Bron to follow her father's footsteps, unaware of his true legacy, the key to creating a weapon powerful enough to defeat Parista, who was trapped deep in the underground dungeon of Wystern Central Tower, which was not only a complex labyrinth, but also guarded by many stray summon creatures with no fear of long run-on sentences.
"From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, where civil blood makes civil hands unclean."
The Gold Guild and the Silver Guild were known to be rivals and their respective leaders thought to be enemies. When it became imminent that Parista would break free of the dungeon if not permanently stopped, the remaining craftlords, Rondeau of Diamond, Sakuro of Sapphire, Kouren of Ruby, Ureksa of Jade and Lubert of Amber, attempted to handle the situation while keeping the public peace, because we all know the masses are stupid and panicky. However one craftlord, Tyram of Crystal, had gone missing.
To take attention away from the frequent earthquakes caused by Parista, a tournament was organized with the pretense of choosing the next Craftlord of Iron. Young craftknights from both guilds joined the tournament, putting their skills to the test in battles with weapons they had forged themselves. Most of them were accompanied by summon creatures called guardian beasts, that came to their aid when called. Pratty had an adorable robot called Zantek, who spoke in a language similar to R2D2.
"From forth the fatal loins of these two foes, a pair of star-crossed lovers take their lives..."
Both Pratty and Varyl were strong in the tournament, advancing round after round. However, there was far more than only a tournament going on, as there were many conspiracies afoot.
The Gold Guild was said to be trading with the enemies and rumored to be giving Wystern a bad name by selling low quality weapons. Ureksa was thirsty for revenge against Parista, for the creature had cursed his sister Rumari, former Craftlord of Jade, with an incurable fever. Thus Ureksa imprisoned Tyram and conspired with the traitorous Lubert, selling out Wystern to their enemies, the Deiglayans. Tyram, who was Rumari's fiancé didn't make too much of an effort to escape, sitting around waiting for Ureksa to see the light and go back to his former life of happily playing the third wheel.
"Whole misadventured piteous overthrows, do with their death bury their parents' strife..."
Everything was eventually discovered little by little, Pratty uncovered the secrets and the betrayal, exposing Lubert. Along with Varyl and other craftknight allies, they freed Tyram and made Ureksa see the error of his quest for revenge, bringing him back to their side for good. Ureksa was forgiven of course, because he's cute and has good connections.
The Gold Guild's name was also cleared, the rumors clarified and explained. The masters of Gold and Silver did not truly hate each other after all and it was the craftknights, Pratty and Varyl, who uncovered the truth when they united for the cause of bringing justice, even if it meant the possibility for him to go against his guild. In other words, the young lovers were just confused and being overly dramatic, because they didn't understand how the Gold Guild's actions worked in Wystern's favor through a series of loopholes.
As Varyl became involved in the various adventures, silly side quests and random fillers, he began to see another side of Pratty. Watching her courage, dedication and skill, he came to admire her and fear her sadist side, because everyone knows all girls are sadists.
"The fearful passage of their death-marked love, and the continuance of their parents' rage..."
With all the truths exposed, Pratty was faced with a choice. She knew she had to complete her father's legacy and finish the weapon that would both defeat and free Parista. However, there was a price to pay, to sacrifice the hard drive soul of her dear guardian beast Zantek, who had been her companion through the entire adventure.
Pratty refused to sacrifice her dear friend, instead forging a different sword, which Kuhyra, the Spirit of Ice, opposite to Parista of Fire, warned her would not be as effective. Even so, she knew, and everyone, even Kuhyra, agreed, that this was the end that Shintetsu longed for, one with no more sacrifices.
Thus against the odds, Pratty won versus Parista and calmed its desire for revenge against humans. Wystern was safe again, but Pratty still had one more challenge to face, the last tournament battle.
That final round was against none other than Varyl, her love and rival. It was with great enjoyment a heavy heart that Pratty wiped the floor with him strived to defeat Varyl and went on to become the new Craftlord of Iron.
"Which, but their children's end, naught could remove, is now the two hours' traffic of our stage..."
Of course life in Wystern isn't just about forging weapons, battling in a tournament and discovering villainous treachery and hidden monsters. Everyday there's time to hang out with friends and it just so happened that Pratty would always go to the fountain and spent some time with Varyl, merrily bickering and falling in love. In fact when she even calls him her boyfriend and he remains by her side as she faces the new challenges of being a craftlord.
"The which if you with patient ears attend, what here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend..."
As for other characters who might be getting in the way, Clarie of Rugista Island seems to have a crush on Varyl. Pratty can gain a variety of admirers also, being the main character and in the center of attention.
Pratty's admirers include, but are not limited to, a summon creature who wants Pratty to become his king (would that then make -him- queen?) and in some occasions a curry addicted craftlord. But that's not important, the point is OTP PrattyxVaryl 4ever!
Here are some icons I made...
Now take one of these lovely buttons, link it to this site and spread the love.
http://www.piratesboard.net/mikari/pratty/varyl.html
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