A Tale of Flowers and Thorns · Budsquire Family
The princess could not cry.
Budsquire · Thornblade · Melloblum
Introduction by MOANIIMO · not game text
Deep in the Maze of Thorns, the First Lethal Thorn guards Princess Melloblum. But the princess is losing the power of the dance that brings happiness to all. She knows everyone would worry if she showed her tears, so she cannot even cry the way a Budsquire does.
Game text
"Banished" from the princess’s tea party, the observant Budsquires noticed Princess Melloblum’s subdued spirits. The First Lethal Thorn’s intervention, meant as protection, had only deepened her quiet distress. Where the Budsquires could release their pain in tears, the princess swallowed her tears, aware that her moods affected the entire court. The radiant figure who brought smiles to others wore none of her own.
Contents of this story
From here the story is told in the game's own words. The source (dex, dialogue or quest) is shown under each quote.
CHAPTER 01
The Princess of the Maze of Thorns
MOANIIMO noteDeep in the Maze of Thorns in Rosetower Woods is Princess Melloblum, guarded by the First Lethal Thorn.
Game text
Princess Melloblum is troubled by the loss of her ability to perform the Dance of Blissful Bloom. The First Lethal Thorn blames himself for failing to protect her from the thorn that wounded her, but the Melloblum says the ability faded gradually, so something else must be responsible. You decide to investigate.
Open the rest of this chapterSpoilers · includes the quest ending
Game text
You bring Princess Melloblum the testimony you’ve gathered, and she finally understands why she lost her power to bring happiness: everyone’s overprotection had become a maze of thorns, keeping out danger but also shutting out the wider world. The First Lethal Thorn apologizes and offers to accompany her outside, but Princess Melloblum says she has found her answer: she is a Melloblum and will stay to make everyone happy.
The wandering Budsquires have finally made it back to Rosetower Woods, and Princess Melloblum welcomes them home with open arms. More will keep trickling back, she’s sure of it, which means leaving is out of the question now. She’s staying to watch over them all.
CHAPTER 02
The Tea Party at the Abandoned House in the Sea of Flowers
MOANIIMO noteBudsquires hold a tea party in the abandoned house in the Sea of Flowers, and the Storyteller Budsquire begins the tale of the Thornblade siblings.
Game text
The Budsquires hold a tea party in the abandoned house, where the storyteller among them shares the tale of the Thornblade siblings: the brother, wanting to protect his sister, sought out stronger and stronger opponents to hone himself and became a Thornblade. Every Thornblade has their own reason for being, it says, and every thorn carries a wish. If you’re bored, it suggests challenging the four Lethal Thorn masters outside.
The brother vows to face powerful foes, temper his thorn, evolve into a strong Thornblade, and keep his sister safe.
Yes. The sister hates to see her brother like this and often cries in secret. However, the brother believes that only the hardest thorn can protect the most beautiful flower—it is the destiny of the Budsquires.
But the brother didn’t realize... all his sister wanted was his company. She never hoped he’d become so cold and harsh... She missed the time when they were still Budsquires. Yet it was too late.
Open the rest of this chapterSpoilers · includes the quest ending
Game text
The storyteller Budsquire finishes the tale of the Thornblade siblings, saying if you want the real story, you should go find the Thunderstorm Thornblade. Then she drops the act entirely, revealing herself to be the writer Aria, who’s been narrating her new book, Flowers and Thorns. She’s selling copies to save up for a trip to the volcano, and asks you to look out for her sister Awen if you ever cross paths.
CHAPTER 03
Thorn of the Storm
Game text
When a thunderstorm rolls in, a Thunderstorm Thornblade is said to appear outside the ruined house in the Sea of Flowers. He defeats his opponents with indifference, snapping their thorns... but does he remember what he is fighting for? Perhaps he awaits someone to defeat him—to carry away those pale thorns and grant him release.
Open the rest of this chapterSpoilers · includes the quest ending
Game text
Among the Budsquire family, Thornblades are guardians armed with unbreakable thorns. To protect his little sister, one Budsquire brother became a mighty Thornblade. He challenged one famed Lethal Thorn after another, making the same pact each time: the loser would break off their own thorn. But no Thornblade wins forever. After his thorn was broken, he could not bear to be comforted by his sister, much less protected by her. So he ventured into a thunderstorm, hoping to become a stronger Thunderstorm Thornblade. He failed. After losing her brother, the little sister was no longer the innocent flower she once was. When her tears finally ran dry, she began her own training. On a stormy night, she bloomed into a flower of grief, with thorns as cold and merciless as her pain. Since then, she has cut down every challenger without hesitation, breaking their thorns without mercy. Perhaps because that same cruel ritual took her brother from her. Perhaps because she despises the duels themselves. Or perhaps she is still waiting for someone strong enough to defeat her—to take the Pale Thorn from her, and with it, finally set her free.
