Congregation Trouble
Objectives
- Meet Gunter after your next Ceremony.
- Ask the Astrologer why your parishioners are losing interest in the sermons. He can be found in the Astrologer's Tower.
- Buy a Hypno-device from the Astrologer in his Tower, charge it in the Abandoned Tower, and return it to him.
- Hold a sermon to try out the new Hypno-device.Because Panic Reduction is what you need.
Unlocks
Charged hypno-deviceFormulation Bench
Requires
Given by
Characters
Follows
Leads to
Starts
Dialogue
GunterHey... Pssss...
GunterShh! Quiet! Did you notice anything strange during the ceremony?
KeeperYeah... it was a much smaller gathering than I hoped.
GunterExactly. And I know why... And more importantly, I know how to fix it.
KeeperI'm all ears.
GunterNot here. It's better we're not seen together.
GunterMeet me at my Shrine of Prediction. We'll talk there.
KeeperAlright, I'll be there.
KeeperOh, hi Gunter. What are you doing here?
KeeperSo, you know why fewer people showed up last time at
service?GunterOh yes, I know... Let me check if today is a good day to tell you...
GunterMmm, the stars are mildly annoyed... but never mind. Let's talk.
KeeperSo?
GunterThe zombies. The undead. You catching my drift?
KeeperYeah, the town is swarmed... I'm literally fighting them off!
GunterRight, right... let me clarify. People have grown a little concerned about the undead helpers working in your graveyard.
GunterYou know, we're a tight knit community... people talk. This might not be so obvious from your perspective.
GunterThe guards on the wall are literally watching zombies do your landscaping.
KeeperI guess I never really thought about it like that...
GunterYou see? You're the hero! The preacher! The last hope of civilization... and the guy with the undead interns.
GunterIt's confusing. People panic easily. And they're already starting to panic.
KeeperOkay... I can hide them. Put 'em underground.
GunterThat's a good start. But it's not enough. The people love gossip and anxiety.
KeeperSo what do you suggest?
GunterYou know, before I got into the whole mystical prophecy racket, I was the best writer in the kingdom.
GunterI could be your PR guy!
GunterBecause Panic Reduction is what you need.
KeeperOk I get the joke... not bad!
GunterWait... what joke?
KeeperNever mind.
PR stuff?
KeeperSo how's it gonna work?
GunterWell, ever since I was a kid, I've always been hungry for people's attention.
GunterUntil I learned the best way to get it...
KeeperCan we skip the whole tragic backstory part?
GunterSure, you're the boss. And lucky for you, I actually believe you're one of the good ones.
KeeperBecause otherwise?
GunterWell, the Astrologer's Code won't let me lie to people.
KeeperBut since it's me, you'll be ok with... half-truths?
GunterExactly! Just enough truth to sell the story.
GunterSo... here's what I need: some special hypno devices.
KeeperWhat devices? Where can I find them?
GunterThat's the good news! I sell exactly what you'll need... at an incredible discount!
KeeperOf course. I'm beginning to doubt they'll even work.
GunterThat's why you'll have to take them home... and put a little Faith into them.
GunterOh, and if you've got the right gear on you... you could even make some here.
GunterI'll give you a little privacy.
KeeperHere are the hypno devices you asked for. I hope they actually work.
GunterOh, of course they will! I've poured all my knowledge and experience into the idea.
GunterAnyway, I'll give them a trial. After that, we can talk about how many I'll need each week.
KeeperWait a second... I have to bring you new ones every week?
GunterYep. The more undead you raise, the more I'll need. It's simple math.
KeeperWhat a scam...
GunterOh please... You're the one scamming nature. No salaries, no social benefits...
KeeperAlright, alright...
GunterGood! Now go ahead and hold your next ceremony. I'll make sure the "debuff" is gone in time.
GunterYeah... it turns out the hypno devices don't work so well on people.
KeeperI told you...
GunterYeah, yeah... I was a fool to believe something so silly could actually work.
GunterBut hey, one positive thing came out of all this.
KeeperOh? Do tell.
GunterI finally got rid of all those useless hypno devices.
KeeperHey... I still had the debuff.
KeeperWhat?! I demand a refund!
GunterSorry, we have a strict "no refund" policy. But... I can offer you a discount.
KeeperA discount on what, exactly?
GunterOn my PR services, of course! I just need a bit of Faith to power my dispatches.
KeeperNo tricks this time?
GunterNo tricks. Cross my heart. Just me, doing my level best for your public image.
About the Faith...
KeeperHow much do you need?
GunterLike I said... the more undead you raise, the more Faith I'll need.
GunterAnd at the rate you're going... we'll be looking at some very big numbers.
KeeperThere's got to be a better way to reduce panic.
GunterWell... persuading people one-on-one is a lovely idea, but it's not exactly efficient.
GunterWe need to open a media outlet. A newspaper!
GunterThat would massively increase our reach...
KeeperYou mean, like... with actual news?
GunterNot necessarily. It doesn't have to be real. The main thing is that it's good news.
GunterYou just need to sprinkle in a bit of Faith to make it work.
KeeperAnd that way I spend less Faith per week?
GunterExactly. But you'll need a lot of writing...
GunterOh, speaking of which... My friend Jack mentioned this thing... a printing press.
GunterIf you manage to build one, maybe you could also print a few copies of my poetry?
KeeperNewspaper first. We'll see about the poetry later.
GunterFair enough. Just remember... every week we'll need to spend some PR resources.
GunterI'll set up a special board for newspapers and hypno devices near my house at the port.
GunterYou'll need to leave fresh papers there every week, if you want to keep the townsfolk happy.
GunterAnd if you want to be smart, you can always keep a few extra on my desk.
KeeperI thought you said those hypno devices don't work.
GunterNot on their own... but paired with the newspapers, they add a nice touch.
GunterWhich reminds me — I still have a few uncharged ones for sale... in case you're still interested, ha ha.
Problem at the Church
Give Hypno Devices