Memory of Chaos: Ian Als Heim

Memory of Chaos: Ian Als Heim was a character scenario released in Mass for the Dead, featuring the character Ian Als Heim.

Episode 1: Nigun's Conviction
The Tripartite Agreement was signed among the Slane Theocracy, the Re-Estize Kingdom, and the Baharuth Empire shortly after the Cracks caused the world's crisis. The Sunlight Scripturewas are ordered to act as a forerunner of the Theocracy for this alliance, and were given the task of heading to the fortress city of E-Rantel, which was to serve as the base of the Tripartite Alliance. The captain of the Scripture Nigun Grid Luin addresses its members on their country's radical national policy. Though he admits that the change was difficult to accept as they will be working with nations with beliefs that run contrary to their own. For that reason, they might even have to possibly work together with other races. One of the members, Ian Als Heim, finds the words from the captain to be shocking, and has some misgiving if he can reconcile on working with heathens or for the matter races that his Scripture dedicated their lives in destroying to maintain humanity's superiority. The commander continues to listen to his captain preach that this to be just another test of faith from the divine, ending with a robust salute from the gathered priests. After the rally, Ian speaks with Nigun personally to ask about his thought on this mission the Scripture has been given, questioning if they are truly doing the right thing and warning Nigun of the anxiety spreading amongst the men. While Nigun understands their concern, he doesn't provide Ian a reason as to why the Theocracy is proceeding with cooperation with such corrupt nations. Ian suspects Nigun knows something, but decides not to press the issue any further than that. Nigun asks Ian to reassure the Scripture's concerns so that their morale is not shaken. Ian agrees to do so without question, which pleases Nigun who tells him he will understand the "truth" in time.

On the road to E-Rantel, Ian leads an advanced unit to assist in the reconstruction efforts of the city. A few members of the Sunlight Scripture talk to Ian stating that a force from the Empire had arrived at E-Rantel. Even though members of the party are masked, Ian senses their conflicted feelings about joining hands with the Kingdom and Empire especially since it is against the doctrine. Some have begun doubting their faith, which Ian decides to share his own views on their orders. Reminding them that he has served under Nigun for a long time, watching him accomplish countless missions with all his heart. A man who was more faithful to the teachings of God than anyone else, and yet he is still facing this mission with such conviction. For now he advises them, just focus on the task at hand, and perhaps in their labor for God, they will surely find the truth.

Episode 2: God-given Trials
Once the Scripture arrived at E-Rantel, they began with distributing goods brought from the Theocracy and strengthening the city's defenses. Though the Scripture has come to help, they are met with suspicion and fear due to their reputation for being religious fanatics that destroy harmless settlements. In truth the refugees and residents find their presence unwanted, preferring the knights of the Empire for protection. Ian standing alongside his men finds the reaction by the people to be expected. Rather than feel frustrated and angry to reminds himself and his men that earning the people's trust to be a test from God, in which the adversity of their faith is being contested. What they do now is not serving others but to their deity. Though Ian spins words to encourage his subordinates, he is pondering himself the difficulty of this future mission.

After completing a vigilance mission within E-Rantel, Ian was tasked with distributing relief supplies brought from the Theocracy to refugees fleeing the effects of the Cracks. There he meets a young boy with short pointy ears which he recognizes to be the sign of a Half-Elf and a descendant of those not blessed by the gods Ian worships. Though his creed preaches hatred against the elven race, Ian believed he needed to set an example for his men. Just as the elven mother was about to take her child away, Ian calls out for them to wait seeing that her child is injured. Despite the mother's unwillingness to accept his help, Ian uses his magic to heal the boy's injury. The act does not convince the elven woman who tells Ian to stay away and tells her child to leave. A priest watching the scene expresses his distaste at the response of Ian's gesture, which Ian is inclined to agree, but is surprised by the half-elf boy returns and gives him a proper thank you. Ian pleased by this decides to tell the lad that though there are a few religious differences, there is a common denomination that admits people to be weak and that they must work hand in hand to overcome troubles and dangers. If he wishes to repay him for healing his wound then the best way would be to help another. After the boy thanks him and leaves, a priest muses that he was preaching their God's teachings, which Ian states that this would be a good opportunity to eliminate such prejudices about their faith. He is also surprised at overcoming his own views, and wonders if this is what Nigun was aiming for.

Episode 3: Fighting with the Empire
After completing his mission inside E-Rantel, Ian was ordered by Nigun to engage in an operation to wipe out Contaminated Beasts outside the city's walls. As Ian and his men finish clearing several Contaminated goblins, a priests wonders if their assignments are a bit unequal, given that this is the Kingdom's territory and yet the Empire and Theocracy forces have been committing more to its defense. But Ian thinks their assignment is to be gaining trust, as these dangerous subjugation missions will eventually broaden Scripture's role.

The group are interrupted when a female knight calls out to them to see if they are done sweeping the area. Ian recognizes her as Leinas Rockbruise, one of the Four Imperial Knights. Just as the priests and Knight were getting acquainted with one another a force of goblins and ogres emerge and attack. The knight decides to hold off on the introductions and begins to battle the demi-humans. Ian watching her fight admits Leinas lives up to the title of "Heavy Bomb", but as he continues to observe he realizes that she is stronger than him. Her strength continues to leave him stunned even after she saves him from being killed by an ogre. Thinking of how fast the Empire won the hearts of the city's residents, Ian realizes that Leinas's strength was a factor. Leinas seeing Ian's behavior asks him if he is scared, causing him to wake up from his daze and join the fight. The two finish clearing the area of hostile, which now free Ian takes the opportunity to compliment Leinas's strength. Leinas likewise takes the praise before she departs, but hopes they could work together again. After she leaves, Ian reevaluates his own abilities believes that the Scripture needs to further enhance themselves if they are to do their God's work and protect humanity.

Episode 4: Midnight Training
When midnight falls, the city gates have been closed. While the rest of the city falls asleep, members of the Sunlight Scripture are hard at work training to continue their strong aspirations. Ian especially is pushing himself to reach the level of one of the Four Imperial Knights and possibly his captain Nigun. Nigun comes to the scene causing Ian to stand at attention to the captain, though the latter requests that there is no need for formality. The Captain of the Sunlight Scripture seeing the training regimen asks his second in command if something happened that spurred this action. Ian states that he thinks he understands what Nigun was asking of his men before they were sent on their journey to E-Rantel. After witnessing the power of one of the Four Knights, he realized that his power was lacking to spread their faith's mission hence why he is training so hard. Having heard enough, Nigun decides to challenge Ian to see how strong he has become. The two clash against each other for a moment, and Nigun admits Ian has greatly improved since he first came to the Scripture. Ian thinks he is being too kind, but Nigun insists that Ian continue to devote himself without forgetting his original intentions.

Episode 5: Ian's Decision
Nigun brings sudden news of an attack on Carne Village and his intention to send members of the Sunlight Scripture to lead an investigation team. The situation is serious as Carne Village is near the fortress city, which could indicate that an attack may come to the city. Further more the frontier village has never been attacked before in its hundreds of years of establishment. Ian listening asks if it is due to the Wise King of Forest, a monster rumored to live within the nearby Great Forest of Tob. While Nigun cannot say that the beast actually exists, he states that the monsters that have attacked Carne are the same ones that attacked E-Rantel. If the Wise King does exist, it is possible that the Chaos Beasts and Contaminated Beasts may have slain it. The idea that such a powerful beast was killed underlines the seriousness of the mission and the threat of the monsters from the Crack.

Nigun informs the commander that the purpose of the Sunlight Scripture team would only be for investigation. However if there are indeed survivors, then evacuation would be their second priority. Given the Scripture's specialty in subjugating monsters, it makes sense to the Alliance's representatives to send them out. Though there may be many dangers, Ian volunteers to lead the mission himself. Nigun is hesitant to approve such a survey, but acquiesces after Ian reminds him that humanity needs to stand united in these trying times. Before Ian leaves to make a selection of personnel, Nigun makes him promises to return alive which he states that he will.

Trivia

 * This character scenario was released alongside Mass for the Dead Chapter 02.