ts-rosae

[ts-rosae]

Hmm... So according to my previous little poll, it seems the Oracle backstory is getting a little popular now than the Alchemist after two years... Interesting. I wonder if some players are going or have already changed their minds and chosen the other two because of the Hound/Exile revision 🙃

[ts-rosae]

Touchstarved Origins

Okay, so there's been a lot of divisive opinions over the replacement of 'The Hound' background with 'The Exile' background. I have my own thoughts that I wanted to express on the situation, as well as the origin system as a whole.

TLDR: I'm not against 'The Exile' existing, but I do think it's the least interesting and the weakest of the four backgrounds. I'm also firmly against the replacement of 'The Hound'. I also want to talk about how I would add/fix the current backgrounds. Also these are just my opinions - I'm not speaking objectively.

Spoilers ahead!

What's the point of the Origin system?

There's two main reasons for the current origin system.

First of all, each background has a 'perk', which each background can gather different types of information about the world and the love interests. This info may effect player decision-making.

Secondly, the backgrounds allow for roleplay and MC creating. This aspect is a huge part of the fandom, and RSS encourages people to make OCs with the backgrounds as a 'guide'.

How well is Origin system implemented?

I think it's important to keep in mind that it's only a demo out right now. That being said, as of these demos, I do not think the origin system has been implemented very well.

The 'perks' the backgrounds give and the story/dialogue differences are pretty minimal. This means that the way the Origin system currently works, the don't really meet the intentions behind the backgrounds.

The Exile & The Hound

Welp, onto the issue that inspired this post. First of all, I believe that 'The Hound' shouldn't have been replaced at all. IMO it was the weakest in terms of implementation, but that doesn't mean it should have been removed, just made better.

People have been building their MCs/OCs for years at this point, and it's straight up not fair for people to have their backgrounds taken away for seemingly no reason. There was no communication from RSS or even a survey from RSS asking about changing up the backgrounds.

I've also seen people say the backgrounds are 'similar enough', which I can't fully agree with. They're both survivalists, but the contexts are just too different - One is survival in in a socal world, and the other is survival in 'the wild'. Also, I think the biggest appeal to a lot of people about 'The Hound' was the criminal edge and the social intuition, which in a game about character interaction, is a big loss.

There's also the 'balance' of the original three backgrounds. While I don't think the OG backgrounds were the epitome of character building, they were different in the 'right' ways. For example: 'The Hound' is street-smart and familiar with lowtown's entertainment district, 'The Alchemist' is book-smart and somewhat familiar with lowtown's entertainment district, and 'The Unnamed' most likley has some education and isn't familiar with lowtown's entertainment district. They've also all been betrayed, which adds on to their desperation. This also means they learn different information that is relevent to the LIs (eg, 'The Unnamed senses familiar about Kuras, but 'The Alchemist' notices no magic from the reattached limb).

So, what about 'The Exile'? Backstory-wise, there's the isolation of 'The Unnamed' and a parental figure of 'The Alchemist', but no 'betrayal'. It does take some the the social intuition stuff from 'The Hound' (eg. "I've learned to recognise a leader when I see one" about Ais) but for a character that's described to live away from other people (apart from the hermit), it doesn't really fit or make sense. The 'perk' of an 'uncanny intuition' is very similar in flavour to 'The Unnamed' - I can't see why 'The Unnamed' wouldn't also have the red choice to 'move immediately'. 'The Exile' is also fluent in multiple languages, but that seems like something 'The Alchemist' would know.

In short, 'The Exile' feels like a mish-mash of the original backgrounds, lacking a strong identity - both storywise and gameplay-wise. It has qualities that already belong to a background or qualities that should belong to another background. If the goal was to have more 'cohesive' backgrounds, we ended up with a redundant background.

That being said, I do think there's a place for 'The Exile', but as it is right now, it needs a major rework.

Sidenote, blind/new players of Touchstarved aren't going to know what soulless are when selecting the backgrounds, so making it a 'selling point' of the background isn't a great move.

Things I Would Add to the Backgrounds

These are just some moments I could see happening with events that happen in the demo + feel in-tune with the background.

'The Unnamed':

I'll note it's hard to think of moments for 'The Unnamed', since we lack information on how their religion and temple function.

I think 'The Unnamed' should be the weakest fighter out of the backgrounds. Should probably never feel comfortable in altercations.

Should be the most 'aware' on what their curse does to people. Could come with different dialogue during Mr. Chocky's scene or Leander's 'hold back' scene.

Just more references to 'The Unnamed's' old faith. It was such a big part of their life, that it feels wrong to know so little.

Less knowledgeable of 'normal' society. They say the entertainment district in unfamiliar to them, but we don't actually see them go about the place much differently. For example, they shouldn't assume Vere is a sex worker because of the 'parted pink curtains'.

'The Hound':

I actually don't think 'The Hound' needs to be some super proficient combatant, but they should be the most compatent when caught off guard and general 'physical' situations. For example, they don't get knocked to the floor by the 'lowlife' in the bar, and/or their escape from the soulless is more skilful (not just trying to open a door and failing). Mhin would still show up of course.

Let. Them. Steal. The best moment I can think of is after they left Kuras's clinic, they pickpocket someone and use the money to buy food. I think it would make sense because they're already thinking about money in that scene.

Related to the last point, but 'The Hound' should be the most 'comfortable' finanally. Unlike the other backgrounds who have likely not been finanally responsible for themselves, 'The Hound' is used to poverty and low spending power (since most of the money they did have was for a cure). And of course, they have the means to steal. Maybe alter MC's lines about being worried about money.

'The Alchemist':

Not a great physical fighter, but as they get more settled in Eridia, having 'The Alchemist' preparing things such as protection enchantments. If taken off guard, they'll be weak, but if they can prepare for an encounter and such, they'll be in a better condition. That's to say, I don't mind them being 'weak' in the demo.

Some more general history stuff. For example, 'The Alchemist' thinking about how old Eridia is.

'The Exile':

I think if you're going to add a choice to fight the soulless, and a new backgound that's 'familiar' with soulless, I think it's fair to say the MC should have lived in the encounter. It's not like Mhin wouldn't have swooped in to kill the soulless anyways.

Final Thoughts

I do hope RSS come out and explain why 'The Hound' was removed, since I doubt they can add it back in without adding a lot more work the finished game. This also isn't made as a dig at anyone who likes 'The Exile', I just have a Thoughts™.

Also, please tell me if I've missed anything I should have mentioned or if I've said something incorrect!

[ts-rosae]

Leander's cult signs, Psychic Moths and Manipulative Bottoming.

!(DEMO UPDATE SPOILERS; LEANDERS ROUTE)!

''What are you doing sitting around, good-looking? the demo's been out, why don't you hurry that cute little body of yours and spend some time with me?''

Call me the Unnamed Oracle because in this post I'd made the point that that Leander would want to make you feel powerful, in control both physically and mentally to stop you from questioning his behavior.

I'm so giddy that I was actually right about this lmfao, and it got me thinking more about Leander's control tactics.

Safety, even if false, creates a safety blanket- it also breeds codependence; for MC, safety looks like the ability to not hurt anybody using the power of their hands.

We can also see this when MC manages to push him down onto the bed to keep him from leaving, exactly what he would've wanted.

MC believes it was from their own volition, but it was all Leander's play, he'd promised them answers to the question they so desperately want to be answered, and then tried to leave in a hurry immediately after.

It makes them feel more in control, like everything they're doing comes from their decision alone and not somebody elses influence, which could render doubt.

This also plays well into all of the cult symptoms I noticed within the new update, something they seem to be pushing more with the Abberstone/Bloodhounds.

One of the first signs of a cult is love-bombing, something that can be expressed in multiple different ways, I'd be willing to overlook Leander's fascination and desire to know every detail about MC as simply a cultural difference due to the exchange of knowledge

BUT on the other hand, another way of love-bombing that's quite popular when it comes to cult activities especially is the act of singling the possible new member out in a positive manner.

He chose you out of everyone vying for his affection, the only difference being that they're completely hooked on him and you aren't yet.

It's human nature to want validation and to feel special, and he's offering that to you in particular, oh, don't you feel so wanted? it makes you feel more akin to stay.

Who wouldn't want to stay somewhere that makes them feel special and adored, especially by the flock leader themselves.

One of the main things we learn about the Abberstone/Bloodhound's is that they're protective of one another, they're good Samaritans who've even lended a hand fixing a leaking roof once or twice.

But if you look on the other side of things, another sign of a cult is both Fear Factor and Hate-Bonding.

Very little unites people like a shared hatred, think about it, have you ever bonded more with a friend because there is someone at work or school you both just cannot stand?

This is also another weapon used by flock leaders, they usually pick a certain group or organization to turn into the cult's enemy, someone everybody can mutually boo.

This also brings a sense of belonging as everyone shares at least one point of view with the rest, it's a very base instinct to agree with something that a large group is saying.

It's like if a person who's spent their life sober goes out with a group of friends who love drinking, they're more inclined to join in despite their own beliefs due to fear of missing out.

It ignites unity within the group, keeping them more loyal to each other and the cause.

This also ties hand in hand with creating bonds within the cult, something to give you a reason to stay.

Leander is your friend, don't you trust him? :)

Sharing secrets is a good way to bond with people, similar to the instance of shared trauma, something exclusive between two people that makes them feel like they can only talk to that other.

Leander love-bombs quite early on until they easily start calling MC a friend, almost desperate to win them over for that exact reason.

He knows MC is alone and desperate, the ideal target for a cults influence, so he's eager to be their first friend.

He even discourages trying to befriend the likes of Mhin or Kuras, pointing out the flaws in all the others so you'd feel more inclined to spend time with him instead.

Not that they really have much of a choice, because another thing that's extremely prominent in the structure of a cult is Financial Control.

But how could Leander do that if everything is free? it's an almost genius method, but the effect goes the opposite.

MC likely doesn't look wealthy, like at all, and it seems that travelers have a reputation for being scraggly if the sighting of the other at the beginning of the game is anything to go off of (before they went insane, I wouldn't be looking too hot either if my mind was broken.)

They're also extremely tight about the information given, anybody can tell that from just five minutes talking about that.

And with Eridia's information value, they're not exactly going to get far.

Leander knows that, so like the good Samaritan he is, he lets them stay at the Wet Wick for free, even offering free meals and drinks.

But this also leaves MC under his thumb, they can barely afford food let alone another place to stay, and Leander is there and kind and oh-so-willing to lend a hand.

Constantly being surrounded by a cult is a sure way to get indoctrinated, especially when they're so much warmer compared to the harshness of the other people they've met, I.E Mhin and Vere.

But we're also overlooking the most crucial sign of Leander being a flock leader.

This has been crucial to his rise in power and keeping his followers hooked on him and his ideologies, enough to overlook any sort of red flag.

Look at those tiddies fr i'd fall for that any day, we don't need any indoctrination fam we're already hooked 😍😍 I'd say we don't need a leash but I know we'd still like it

Big tiddy cult forever

[ts-rosae]

So, I remember a poll from the devs a long time ago where the Alchemist was the most popular choice to be selected, and I can't help but be curious to know where the playerbase stands now with the reworked prologue.

[ts-rosae]

Call out : Toma is a scammer.

tldr : My (now former) friend, TS fandom member and artist known as Toma @tomato-arts owes me almost 1K USD and promised to pay me back only to ghost me.

Turns out she lied about why she needed the money I gave her recently, and probably about other things, using her status as my friend and fellow fandom member to get money out of me and run with it. She also tried to scam her commissioners (me included) by making them pay for a commission and never delivering, but was callout out in January for it.

In this google document I detail the timeline and events that led to the current situation while also bringing receipts. Please do NOT harass any of the people mentioned (by name or not) including Toma herself.

Please reblog this post as much as possible.

[ts-rosae]

So like. Does anyone else feel like the MC has a literal case of Main Character Syndrome?

Like I get that on a Doylist level they literally are the main POV character and on a Watsonian level they're a desperate person searching for a cure that's been plaguing them their whole life and thus survival may rank higher that rationality.

That said, it is very wild that their whole deal in this demo is running around demanding help and answers from strangers only to get angry and defensive when anyone asks questions about them. Despite being lectured multiple times on the importance of secrets. Like be for so fucking real u beautiful clown

EDIT: I FEEL LIKE I HAVE TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THIS IS NOT ME HATING ON THE GAME OR WRITING. IT IS JUST SOMETHING I NOTICED AND FOUND INTERESTING. IF YOU CAME HERE TO BE RUDE DO NOT CLICK ENTER DO NOT PASS GO DO NOT COLLECT $200

[ts-rosae]

You're welcome! I definitely think you were onto something about harnessing some kind of power and transferring it to some human host to use them. I guess we will find out later with more lore crumbs 😊

Ok so was doing some digging in all the LIs lore sheets and found a lot of stuff (ill dig deeper into it later) but the most interesting thing that clicked is that Veres lore has no mention of him as a monster from the Shroud, which most of the other Lis believe (idk if Kuras knows dont remember what he said about Vere). Instead the Senobiums documents describing him as a diety and demon. He's a being with power from the human realm.

Which might be what Vere means when he says his whole 'not quite human or monster line'. If this is what he means then ya, the Senobium is going to try to capture Mc to study how they got powers as a being not from the monster realm, (probably) how they can harness and transfer that power to humans. Which in the Senobiums eyes could protect humans from monster attacks.

Don't know if this is a a big brain moment or a big brain fart (probably brain fart)... but just putting it out there.

[ts-rosae]

Hello fandom! I'm not sure if this has been asked before but, do you guys know the name of that leather piece-thing wrapped around Mhin's neck and chest with the straps? I am not an English speaker and the few words I've tried to enter to find a match to that accessory is not working.

[ts-rosae]

Basically, some people have been harassing and threatening the studio's developers because of their choice to create a Patreon to add extra funds to hire more people to help them manage the community (which wasn't even a goal during the Kickstarter). A few backers have been vocal about this, some thinking they're just milking more money to hide more content behind a paywall system, others think this game is a scam and wish they'd never spent so much money on it (if you have an Instagram account, you can see some of those comments over there). That's pretty much the gist of it. And of course, besides the obvious support for the devs, a lot of players who couldn't be a part of the Kickstarter or just recently discovered the game and would like to contribute are mad at this situation because they are being denied the sneak peeks/sketches and Q/A things they wanted to see so badly.

I'm hearing all this talk about the Touch starved patreon going on, the whole fandom is literally on fire cause of this but no one is explaining what happened . . . Someone pls enlighten me about this situation, what's going on?!?