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soviet-supersoldier · 6 months ago

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Character Examination: Omega Red

Part 4: X-men (1991) #6

This comic is near and dear to my heart. It served as my first introduction to Omega Red as a character, being one of the first comic books that I ever read. I remember getting this comic with a Marvel Legends Sabretooth figure my dad bought in the early 2000s and every time I see this cover, I'm hit with a real sense of nostalgia:

Being the only part of this story arc I was able to read as a kid, Omega Red was really an enigma, a character that I really didn't grow to appreciate and discover his full story for until much later in life. When I first read this, I read it for Wolverine. And also Sabretooth. But they're not the ones I'm examining this story for now. How times change.

So, right out of the gate in this one, the X-men start on a rescue mission to try to get Wolverine back after managing to track down the location of the Hand's base in Berlin. This is where I saw Omega Red for the first time, popping out of nowhere to smack Beast in the face:

The way the characters are laid out on the panel here makes it rather difficult to figure out just where Arkady came from. The ceiling? The wall? Another hallway? It's a bit of a confusing perspective. Regardless, Arkady sounds like he had been lying in wait for them for a least a little while, listening to their conversation until he decided to step in and say, "Hello."

This also marks the only time Omega Red and Beast really interacted until Krakoa's X-Force. Given how Beast treats Arkady in X-Force, killing him or targeting him over the course of the series, one could argue that this moment right here is where Beast formed his grudge. That must have been one hell of a punch. And left-handed, too. Arkady has a good left hook. He throws a few of them over the course of his appearances, and as a lefty, it always makes me smile when I see it.

Before I move on from this page, there are two things I want to note. The first is with Arkady’s dialogue. As the standard of the time, villains in comics did a lot of monologuing as a way to tell the audience about themselves and their abilities. Their dialogue is used to advance the story and fill the heroes in about their opponent. Omega Red’s is no different, and it will really become apparent on the next page. That being said, Omega Red does end up developing the character trait of being a bit chatty while he fights, so it's not too out of character for him to talk, even about himself and his abilities. It's really the only time he ever gets the chance, seeing as how he only ever really showed up for fights for so many of his appearances. If he wasn't a talker, we'd never really know anything about him from his perspective at all.

The other thing of note is in the narration boxes: "Several decades ago, he was to be the world's first supersoldier -- in service to Mother Russia! Instead, he spent the last 30 years in a tomb."

After this story arc, comics that later come out about Arkady’s past really start to muddy up this established timeline. When this story came out, the narration would have suggested that the events Logan keeps having flashbacks to occurs in the 1960s. But then, Banshee is tied to his backstory (because reasons) and he said the events he took part in happened 20 years beforehand. Not only that, but Arkady was recently shown to have been a child in the 1960s. So something got messed up along the way in Omega Red’s personal timeline that still hasn't been properly addressed. Perhaps a future origin story will fix it, but for now, I suppose a solution of some sort is to say that Logan's memory sucks and that these events didn't happen 30 years ago like he thought, but rather, closer to 20 like Banshee had said and that the overall Marvel timeline is just scooted up from this occuring in the 1960s to now occuring sometime in the 1970s or 1980s.

Onto the next page:

So here Arkady talks about himself. His dialogue serving to introduce us, the audience, to what it is that he can do. He talks about his Carbonadium tentacles and their similarities to adamantium, how it is more maleable and not quite as indestructible as adamantium. However, they are still, for all intents and purposes, indestructible. That's why it really bothers me whenever I see someone cut his coils. They're still made of an indestructible material. It should be as impossible of a situation to occur as someone slicing Wolverine's adamantium claws in half. Now, ripping them out? I could see that happen. They are implants after all.

After talking about his coils, Omega Red then talks about his mutant powers, with Jubilee making a fart joke with regards to his abilities as he turns his powers on her. Brave of her to make such a joke, but then, I doubt Arkady truly understood what it was she was talking about. His dialogue suggests he's not quite listening to what she's saying. He knocks her out with a physical backhand and a sort of compliment/thank you for being an (unwilling) donor towards keeping himself alive.

This is made apparent later, but for as many times as Arkady claims his abilities are lethal, we never see him kill anyone here. He always just knocks them out, even though he continually says he needs their life energy to keep himself alive. Why does he do that when he has such an obvious need? Well, the real reason is that Marvel can't let all their heroes just die, but that leaves a weird plot hole within the story itself. Why doesn't Arkady kill these people? He has no connection to him, they're invaders into the facility he's at, and he needs life energy to live. A good guess might be that Matsu'o gave him orders not to kill, as capturing the X-men rather than killing them might draw Wolverine back in. And he is their real target. That, and Matsu'o seems to have some plans for Psylocke at least, so it would be in his best interests to make sure Omega Red doesn't end up killing her. Of course, he could have given the order to kill all intruders except the one who looks like a sexy ninja babe, but maybe he thought that would be too complicated. Regardless, Arkady, despite having death powers and a need for life energy to keep himself alive, kills absolutely no one.

As all this is happening, Logan is elsewhere with Maverick trying to fight for his life. These past hours have been incredibly taxing for him, and he's experiencing a ton of flashbacks to the time when he encountered Omega Red as a member of Team X:

So, Omega Red doesn't really appear on this page of the flashback outside of his coils shooting up through the floor here, but I want to make a few notes. The first is that Janice says, "The supersoldier has been activated." In the next issue, we find out that Team X starts their raid while Arkady is having his procedures done. He's naked in a tank being operated on when Team X shows up. And then they steal the C-Synthesizer (and later additions to this event add Sabretooth making a sales pitch to Arkady to join them and John Wraith making an appearance -- a lot ends up getting crammed into this). So, after Team X busts in and grabs Janice, Arkady has to get out of the tank, listen to Creed's pitch, kick him out, get dressed and have all the implants and things properly hooked up in order to go after them. All this right after Arkady went through (likely) the most painful process of his life. He's a real trooper for that, and you really have to applaud his speed, but man, he must have been really hurting.

The second note I want to make is with regards to how Janice dies here. Why is it important? Well, because of this lovely panel that occurs in X-men (1991) #18:

Hmm. Something doesn't add up here. Why is Logan blaming Arkady for what happened to Janice? As his own flashback reveals:

Omega Red wasn't even on the same floor as them when Janice was killed. Logan clearly saw Sabretooth murder her. So why is he blaming Arkady for it several issues later? Crappy memory? Hard to say, but after that, Janice Hollenbeck is never mentioned again and Logan never brings this up in any of his fights with Sabretooth. Just the one he had with Omega Red. To this day, it baffles me that Arkady is the one he truly blames for her death since he wasn't the one who actually killed her.

So, the next page of the flashback shows us Arkady at long last:

So, Sabretooth ends up saving everyone's skin here (at least everyone not named Omega Red) and they all escape with the C-Synthesizer. With regards to Arkady on this page here, I want to talk about a few things. The first is his dialogue. His speech bubble is very unique, along with the lettering. The styling does seem to imply that Arkady’s words are supposed to come off as menacing and sounding rather off-putting, and it probably does, but I think that it's really due to two main reasons. The first is due to the pain he's probably in right now. Remember, he just had a major operation and was told to get up and go without any sort of recovery time whatsoever. It probably really hurts to talk. Or breathe. Or move. And yet he has to do so. Arkady knows the importance of what was stolen. He has to get it back or his life is going to really, really suck. The second reason is due to him speaking English. At this time, I doubt he was a very good English speaker. There are times where he seems to struggle with it even now. He was probably still learning and unfamiliar with the language. Despite the pain he was in, he was supposed to try to communicate clearly in a second language. I say he did a good job.

The next thing I want to talk about is his appearance here:

Look at all those mechanical parts strapped to his head. We see this design for him in one other flashback in the pages of Cable, and the design in and of itself tells a rather sad and painful story. Unlike Logan, who naturally has his claws, Arkady’s coils are 100% implants. Rather complicated ones too. How do they work? How do they move? As the headgear implies, it's by a computer/brain interface. Procedures had to be done to connect the coils to his brain to allow him to mentally control and move them. And given the technology level from back in the day, it was going to end up being something that's big, clunky, hot, and heavy. He had to carry that thing around on his head in order for the implants to work. His hair had to be shaved off. It was probably a very miserable piece of equipment to be forced to carry.

As time went on, this headgear disappeared, getting smaller and smaller until now the only real implants we see left on his head are the ones that remain on his cheeks. Why there? No clue. Guess the artists just think it looks really cool and decided that they wanted to keep it. However, seeing these first iterations of his design tells us that as the technology improved, Arkady had to go through procedures over and over again to update it. To have all the old equipment removed and then replaced with new implants had to have been horrible. Major procedures without any form of anesthesia at all. It had to have been agony. He would have been treated like a machine, having parts exchanged to make him more efficient. It would be the kind of thing that would really destroy any human image Arkady would have of himself, and you really end up seeing that view Arkady ends up having of himself in some of Omega Red’s upcoming appearances.

The final thing I have to say about this flashback before continuing on is how we have never seen what happened to Arkady after this. What he had to face when he went back to his superiors and had to tell them that Team X got away. That had to have been incredibly defeating. His very first assignment as a finished (somewhat) supersoldier: a failure. I doubt that his superiors were happy with him. And after this, he had to somehow find a way to carry on and do the jobs he was ordered to do despite the pain that he now had to live with. His life must have been absolutely horrid after this and only served to build up resentment and hatred towards all the members of Team X. They ruined his life.

So Arkady appears on this page with Sabretooth and the others, but says absolutely nothing. He's likely thinking about Sabretooth though, but given what Sabretooth says, that he doesn't remember Omega Red, he probably figures it's best to just keep his mouth shut. If Creed remembers what he did to Arkady and why, he likely would not do the job -- or at least that is likely the thought. The doctor and Matsu'o also avoid saying Omega Red’s name at all either, which implies they are probably thinking the same thing. That it's best to keep Sabretooth ignorant of their past history and keep him focused on Wolverine.

So Sabretooth goes off hunting and finds Wolverine and Maverick. Here, we are led to believe that Sabretooth was the victorious one and that he and Psylocke captured them. But, as is made clear next issue, it's a ruse:

So, focusing on the dialogue exchanged between the doctor and Arkady, we get a bit of insight as to what Omega Red thinks of Creed and the situation he finds himself in. The doctor notes the irony of the situation, that Sabretooth is unknowingly fixing a problem he helped cause 30(ish) years ago. Omega Red replies with, "There is much I owe Sabretooth. And I have every intention of paying back my debts in the order of which they occured."

What does Arkady mean by that? That he's going to end up waltzing to Victor's door one day and say, "Comrade Creed, now that I've finished paying off my debts to Matsu'o, I work for you now. I have to pay off that debt I owe you."? I don't think so. I doubt that he'd ever want to make life-long slavery his life goal. I think his intentions are far darker. This ends up really getting confirmed next issue, but it is implied here that Arkady’s view of paying back his "debts" is to kill the people responsible for there being a debt in the first place. Sabretooth is on his hit list. It doesn't matter if he's "helping" here. Creed screwed him over and made his life a living hell for 30(ish) years. He's had decades to build up resentment. He wants to dish out some real payback. Just like he wants to do to Logan.

The final thing of note that happens in this issue is the cliffhanger. It was one that really stuck in my mind as a kid because I never got to see how it ended. It took years for me to find out what happened next. So I thought about this a lot. Who would Omega Red kill to keep himself alive? Which X-men character was on the chopping block? How would the team react? Turns out, I didn't have to worry at all, as Omega Red -- despite being given an open invitation to kill as many X-men as he wanted -- kills exactly zero X-men.

Why? Matsu'o even says that Omega Red needs life energy. How and why did no X-men die? Did Arkady just tell Matsu'o, "No thanks, I'm not really hungry right now. Maybe later."? Next issue, it is implied Arkady was "using" (or at least was tricked into thinking he was using), Psylocke's life energy to sustain his own (which is something I will talk about in the examination of next issue), but she's not here right now. She's in the sewers with Creed. Absolutely nothing was preventing Arkady from killing the X-men. And yet he didn't. Once again, Marvel can't bring itself to have any heroes die, but as a consequence, leaves an interesting plot hole that can only really be filled with a variation of Arkady simply choosing not to kill. It's the start of a rather peculiar "no killing" pattern Arkady ends up developing despite the condition he's stuck living with, one that becomes more obvious the more appearances of his you read.

Well, this ended up being a very long review of this issue. The next one might end up being just as long. We will have to see as this first story arc featuring Omega Red begins to draw to a close.

#omega red #arkady rossovich #marvel comics #character deep dive #ramblings and musings on omega red #character examination project #X-men (1991) 6

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byakuyasdarling · 5 months ago

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Poke//mon AU returns 🌟

<< Old post >> << Team justifications >>

Bya and S/I got minor touchups to their design but I wanted to completely rework their child.

I wanted to align her with her D//GR (original) personality of being well-intentioned and kind but a bit snarky and teasing. I feared she would be too unlikebale as an asshole rival. I imagine you first encounter her trying to stand up to the evil team of the region, but slowly getting swarmed until your intervention. Vivienne currently is sneaking out of her nearby school during her spares and breaks to train her Pok//émon (only her Deino at the time) before having a run-in with the aforementioned evil team. She wants to be a trainer to stand up to them, but can’t under her overprotective parents’ eyes, namely her father.

During your journey, yourself and Vivienne encounter a child whose Poke//mon was stolen by this evil team. Eager for a rematch, Vivienne eagerly joins your pursuit - although you have no way to track the thugs or the stolen Poke//mon. Vivienne ponders for a few moments before recalling Tog//ami corp having an old prototype device that would do that exact job; how she knows this is unknown. Regardless, she leads you to Tog//ami Corp’s main building, but insists you sneak through to steal the device. Despite the morally dubious situation, you decide it’s for the greater good - no one will miss a mere unused prototype.

Vivienne is oddly tense in this situation, only being exasperated when a branch officer finds you while she quickly scurries away in fear of recognition. You end up blurting out the truth, while the officer escorts you back to the entrance kindly, explaing Mr Tog//ami is too busy to hear out a child’s request. Vivienne calls you from behind a corner after the employees become preoccupied and suggests simply sneaking into “Mrs Tog//ami’s” garden and pleading to her. You question this line of logic, but she’s insistent.

Eventually you find S/I laying in her translucent hammock among her gardens and paintings. Your presence startles her, prompting her to show off her limited psychic abilities (similarly to Avery) to braid her hair. She asks if you’re lost, though you quickly explain thee situation. She retorts, saying a child shouldn’t be in possession of an unused, largely untested device. Though, after much thought, she feels like she does have a solution. Following her out of her office, Vivienne, who was previously behind the door, quickly runs behind a corner. S/I gives a knowing look in her general direction.

S/I gives you a little wink before entering “Mr Tog//ami’s” office, soon exiting with a flustered Byakuya attempting to wipe lipstick marks off his face, though notably missing one on the tip of his nose. He explains he’s developed a new app for tracing Poke//mon’s trails (similar to DexNav from ORAS, would also serve as this game’s shiny hunting method), but needs volunteers to do a trial run. It’s weird how they both ended up agreeing so easily… unless they’ve simply been hiding their knowledge of Vivienne’s involvement and her tendency to skip school - choosing not to intervene for now. Albeit, the player doesn’t know for sure they’re related.

————

I do have the actual dialogue mapped out in my head, but chose to summarise it for the sake of this post. I imagine the player gets a lot of snarky options during this mission - I want it to have a more silly and innocent vibe.

#andreagami

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hikarry · 1 year ago

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Aziraphale likes to be helpful and hates watching humans suffer, as any good angel should. Yet, I don't believe he has permission from Gabriel to interfere and save humans during catastrophes, even if he could. He is sent places to observe and report. Any help he provides is under his own volition.

So just picture how he must have felt when those instances started pilling up. Cain. The Flood. Jesus.

Slowly but surely his incapacity starts to affect him.

How he must have felt, let's say, during plagues.

The Black Plague, for example.

He was sent to Britain to observe, but he can't help it but offer his assistance as a doctor. He can't outright cure them, but he can try to do it without using miracles and offer comfort all the while.

Still, that's not enough.

Many pass by his hand, slowly and painfully dying, covering him in blood and other body fluids.

He tries his best to bring them peace in their final moments, but what good does that do? He could cure them. With a snap of his fingers, he could cure them, but Heaven doesn't let him interfere, and he can't help but feel utterly useless. And that's how Crowley finds him. He was also in Britain, surreptitiously lending a helping hand the best he could, when he came across an exhausted and lost Aziraphale.

He sits across from the angel at a tavern without a word, the angel looking at his own hands while Crowley observed him.

"It's not your fault." He finally says and watches as Aziraphale closes his hands into fists.

"Isn't it?"

"Heaven is stopping you. If something, they are the ones to blame."

They fall into silence again for a few moments. It's uncomfortable and awkward but Crowley endures it.

"Was it a child?"

Aziraphale takes a deep breath and nods, before finally looking up at him.

"She couldn't be older than 4. She just...her skin turned black so fast i myself could barely keep track. Her mother kept crying, begging me to save her, but..." He closes his eyes, swallowing dry. "I could have. I could have saved her. Instead, I let a child slowly decay in her mother's arms." Crowley reached out much out of instinct, touching his fingertips to the back of Aziraphale's right hand. "I can't take it anymore. I can't just watch them die when I literally have the solution in my fingertips, Crowley."

After a few beats of silence, the demon answered:

"Tell you what, leave the healing to me." Aziraphale eyes snapped open. "I'm not as good as an angel in the healing department, but I can do something. At the very least, buy them time. You will only have to worry about guiding them through it."

The angel moves his hand away from his touch.

"Out of the question! You will get in trouble."

Crowley shrugs, trying to look as nonchalant as possible.

"Hell isn't really keeping track of miracles. I've been helping for weeks now. The only thing changing would be us sticking together and sharing the workload."

"...are you certain?"

"Would I offer if I wasn't?"

And that was the plan. They didn't save all, but they saved more than they would have if they didn't join forces. And, be assured, Crowley did get in trouble, but Aziraphale didn't need to know about that.

Wars? All the same.

Take Queen Anne's War, for example.

Aziraphale is ordered by Heaven to side with the British and Crowley sides with the French.

In a war, it's kill or be killed, and even though he was originally built to be a soldier, he stays as far away from the battlefield as he can. Instead, he takes his place as a nurse and helps the wounded soldiers as best he can.

Humans had somewhat developed their medical skills, so most of them were saved. If something, they had to cut a limb here and there, but as long as the human remained alive, that was all Aziraphale cared about.

Until one day, the hospital flooded with patients. The French had invaded an English camp and massacred most of them. Many died that day, even though Aziraphale could have easily snapped his fingers and closed wounds, stitching flesh together as new. His white clothes soon became a shade of dark red with all the dried human blood, and his hands were equally as tainted.

It was a young man, barely 16, that tipped him off the edged. He yelled, begging everyone not to let him die. He was terrified, holding onto Aziraphale's clothes and crying, just begging to be saved. And Aziraphale could have saved him. Just a snap. Yet instead, he had his hands deep in a chest wound, trying to stitch muscle together the human way. The blood was oozing out of the man's body, and his pleas grew weaker and weaker but always erratic and desperate. Suddenly, the boy reached out to Aziraphale's shirt and, with a vice grip, pulled him closer. The angel stopped what he was doing, looking the man in his bloodshot eyes, tears running down his dirty face. And then, there was only silence, the hand falling away from him. Aziraphale dropped the needle and had to step back. He had to leave. He needed air. Air. And there wasn't enough in that bloody tent.

Without paying much attention, he stumbled out of the hospital into the woods nearby, his breathing coming out as if he had run a marathon. The only things he could hear were the yells of desperation and his own heart beating against his chest. Eventually, he dropped on the floor, back leaning against a random tree, as he looked down at his hands stained with still fresh blood.

He had been nothing but a child pushed into a senseless war. He was scared of death, he didn't want to go, and yet Aziraphale did nothing. He just watched him die in a pool of his own blood while he claimed for the Almighty to save him. But she didn't. And so didn't Aziraphale.

The sun was setting, and he was still sitting in the same place, in the same position, still staring at his own hands. He didn't hear someone approaching and only noticed their presence when two clean hands held both of his.

Aziraphale looked up, silent tears escaping his eyes, and met sunglasses. Crowley was wearing a French General's uniform. Not a speck of blood or dirt on it. He was kneeling with one knee in front of him, and his mouth was moving, but Aziraphale couldn't hear it. Instead, he just gripped the hands on his and let himself tumble forwards, laying his head on Crowley's shoulder. He felt it when the demon reciprocated his hand squeeze and leaned his head against his. None of them talked. There was no need for it. They've been through this before, many, many times, and all Aziraphale needed was a break. A break from all the pain and blood and death. And Crowley offered it to him, even if just for one moment.

Somewhere in the middle of the night, Aziraphale would remove himself from Crowley and squeeze his hands one last time. Crowley ran his eyes through the angel's face, and when he offered him a weak smile, the demon smiled back. With one last squeeze, he got up from the ground and waved his hand in the general direction of the angel, banishing the dried blood from his clothes and hands before leaving, back behind enemy lines.

Neither of them would mention what happened in the forest, much like they didn't mention all the times through the millenia this exact scenario had played out before.

They didn't have the real need for it, really. Talking about it was no use. It would only bring up the bad memories Aziraphale tried very hard to bury as far away from his consciousness as possible.

And it was with stolen moments of silent support when both forgot they were in enemy sides, not only by Hell and Heaven standards, but sometimes by Human standards as well, that they survived the worst of humanity when an angel could do nothing but observe and report.

#i watched a 1917 and got inspired okay #be glad i didnt make any of them discorporate in an airplane crash #good omens #crowley #aziraphale #ineffable husbands #aziracrow #anthony j crowley #tw blood #tw death

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winnie-wine · 14 days ago

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Minish cap thoughts part 8

Cutscene time! So the first one was where Ezlo and Link leave the sanctuary and are ambushed by Vaati who exposition dumps about tracking down the lightforce. Doylist: This gives the player more information Watsonian: Vaati is a grown ass adult beefing with an old man and a child and that's just hilarious. I will note that Vaati and Ezlo talked to each other like it's been a while, and since my basis for the "Vaati was STILL Ezlo's apprentice" thing was the cutscene where Vaati steals the in which Ezlo is like "Vaati? What are you doing?" like Vaati's a kid getting in trouble. Um so that's unfortunately not holding up which sads because that was fuckign funny. However! Screenshots!

Image: Vaati as a minish. I really don't really know how else to describe this without taking up a whole paragraph

Minish Vaati is so fuckign adorable. He's trying to be menacing and it just isn't working bc he's literally tiny with those big ol eyes and pencil bangs which im gonna be honest just make him look like a 12 year old lmaoo.

Image: Vaati's human form, with cloak billowing His human form, by contrast, has the emo fringe covering one eye bc he's a dramatic motherfucker, and long billowing hair and a cloak. It's a human "form" but like he has purple skin and is still the size of a minish so like. Also i like the way he assumed this form and Ezlo was like "of all forms you coulda taken why'd you choose a fucking ugly one" He calls it "vile." Unclear if its because he thinks hylians or vile, or if it's Vaati's fashion but still. Noted.

Also, this means that Vaati and Ezlo had to use the minish portals to grow big, and since Ezlo was a hat at the end of this cutscene, he had to struggle across town and to where we found him in that form and considering we found him alone and i doubt any Minish who helped him in travelling would abandon him, i like to think he specifically like. Avoided being seen by people on that journey bc he was embarrassed.

Next!

Image: Ezlo telling Link "What you call the Picori Blade was the first of those gifts. The second...." Note: Ezlo's beak is open wide enough to swallow Link's head whole. That's not like important to the lore but it's a funny detail.

Image: Ezlo saying "Well, you call it the light force, but it is a source of limitless magical power." And Vaati had said that this power runs through the "Ladies of the royal family" So. Interesting lore implications because this visually looks like the power every princess wields. This is retconned in Skyward Sword to be from being Hylia's descendents but it's from teh minish! Which. Did SS Zelda ever use that kind of golden glowy magic? She sealed herself in amber, but I can't remember the kind of forcefields like what MC Zelda used against Vaati, or what BOTW Zelda did to the guardians. Either way, it's canonically limitless.

Next cutscene: You leave town to the west and then go south and Ezlo and Link are like "my spidey senses are tingling" and then you get the cutscene where Vaati turns the king to stone and takes his place.

Image: Left, Vaati in the firm of King Daltus commanding "I want it!" (it being the limitless magic power Vaati doesn't know is the light force and therefore is literally right next to him) "It is somewhere here in Hyrule! Go now, and bring me this power!" Right: Question marks above everyone's head bc King Daltus has fucking lost it I love the detail that apparently Daltus never has this little composure and so everyone is immediately skeptical bc he's being greedy and rude. In my first run through, I thought that Vaati had like kinda taken over Daltus. Like I also knew something was up but no. This is literally just Vaati and how he talks to people.

Image: Ezlo saying "Hm... Maybe it's just the wind... But I hope nothing bad has happened." Literally it's so funny to me that the developers were like "yeah we need this scene in somewhere, but the main characters can't know" and so their solution was this. Alright. That's all I've got for now. I might not get more screenshots for a bit cause I'm trying to track down the sensei brothers. I forgot where their locations are, and I never found all of them in the first place but I'm pretty dang sure that one of them is on mt crenel somewhere. Also, I need to remember how to get to Syrup's hut, which means I need the digging mitts, and i forgor where those are.... I'll figure it out.

#legend of zelda #minish cap

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peppycubs · 9 days ago

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Gurgaon’s Smart Play Game Zone for Growing Kids

Discover the Best Game Zone in Gurgaon for Learning, Fun and Celebrations

Gurgaon, known for its modern infrastructure and fast-paced lifestyle, is also becoming a haven for families seeking fun and development-oriented spaces for their children. If you’re looking for a Game Zone in Gurgaon that’s safe, educational and exciting for kids, you’re in the right place!

In this article, we’ll explore why Gurgaon’s play zones are becoming the go-to destinations for growing kids and parents alike. Whether you’re planning a fun day out or exploring birthday party venues in Gurgaon, here’s everything you need to know.

Why is a Smart Game Zone in Gurgaon the Ideal Choice for Kids?

A Game Zone in Gurgaon offers more than just entertainment. These modern play areas combine creativity, movement and mental stimulation — perfect for your child’s all-round development.

Here’s why parents love these game zones:

Safe & sanitized environment with trained staff

Interactive play zones are designed for different age groups

STEM-based games & activities that promote learning

Indoor and outdoor setups for year-round fun

Custom packages for parties and events

With an emphasis on both physical and mental engagement, Gurgaon’s game zones are becoming a second home for many kids.

What Can You Expect at a Top Play Zone in Gurgaon?

If you’re hunting for a vibrant and fun-filled Play Zone in Gurgaon, you’ll find centers that focus on child psychology, creativity and safety. The best part? They’re as fun for parents as they are for kids!

Features of a modern Gurgaon play zone:

Adventure courses: Zip lines, climbing walls, obstacle mazes

Soft play areas for toddlers

AR/VR gaming zones

Art and craft corners

Themed playrooms (Jungle, Space, Underwater, etc.)

Interactive floor games and puzzles

These attractions ensure children stay active, curious and engaged in a screen-free environment.

Looking for a Fun Zone in Gurgaon That Combines Play & Learning?

A Fun Zone in Gurgaon isn’t just about bouncing and running around — it’s also about developing life skills.

Here’s how the best fun zones make a difference:

Boost creativity with role-play zones and DIY workshops

Encourage teamwork through group games and challenges

Build confidence via open mic sessions, mini-theatres

Introduce new interests with music, dance and coding classes

Parents are increasingly choosing smart fun zones over regular playgrounds, thanks to their structured learning combined with entertainment.

Are These Game Zones Also Great Birthday Party Venues in Gurgaon?

Absolutely! If you’re searching for birthday party venues in Gurgaon, many of these play zones offer customizable party packages.

What you can expect:

Themed décor and customized party zones

Catering and cake options

Party hosts and entertainers

Personalized games and activity sets

Return gifts & digital photo albums

This makes them a perfect one-stop solution for stress-free and memorable kids’ parties.

FAQs — Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting a Game Zone in Gurgaon

What is the average pricing for a Game Zone in Gurgaon?

Entry charges typically range from ₹300 to ₹800 per child, depending on duration and activities.

Party packages can start at ₹10,000 for 10 kids and go up depending on inclusions.

What are the timings for most Play Zones in Gurgaon?

Most centers are open 7 days a week

Weekdays: 11 AM to 8 PM

Weekends: 10 AM to 9 PM

Some offer early entry for toddlers and school groups.

How safe are Gurgaon play zones for small children?

Staff are trained in child safety and first aid

CCTV-monitored zones

Foam padding, safety nets and sanitized play equipment

RFID wristbands in some advanced zones for added tracking

Are these zones hygienic and regularly sanitized?

Yes, regular sanitization is part of the daily schedule

Shoe-free zones or dedicated clean play areas

Hand sanitizers and temperature checks at entry

Can I book a play zone for a private party?

Yes, many Fun Zones in Gurgaon offer exclusive party room rentals or full-zone bookings.

Final Thoughts: Why Every Parent Should Explore a Game Zone in Gurgaon

Whether it’s for weekend recreation, skill development or a fabulous birthday celebration, Peppy Cubs is the right Game Zone in Gurgaon that can make all the difference. These innovative spaces are redefining playtime by offering fun, learning and safety under one roof.

So next time you’re planning a playdate, a party or just a day off from screens, visit a Gurgaon play zone — where growth meets giggles!

Need help choosing the best game zone for your child?

Drop us a message and we’ll guide you to the best-rated play zone in Gurgaon that fits your child’s age, interest and your budget.

#gurgaon fun places #birthday party in gurgaon #soft play area in gurgaon #Peppy Cubs #Playzone in Gurgaon

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solreads · 14 days ago

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The Hades Calculus - Review

Title: The Hades Calculus

Series: Gunmetal Olympus #1

Author: Maria Yang

Genre: Fantasy

Audience: Adult

Format: Novel

Representation: Trans woman POV character

Trans and nonbinary supporting characters and love interests

Summary: On an unforgiving planet, twelve gods preside over the only bastion of civilization, the walled city of Elysium, as it’s inexorably ground down by assaults from the monstrous colossi roving the lands beyond its gates.

Hades, the reclusive Lord of the Machine Dead, and her allies, Ares and Hephestus, track disturbing new developments in the colossi’s behavior, growing signs of organization, intelligence, and unnaturally rapid adaptation. With the other gods dismissive and fractious and the threat outside the walls growing unchecked, Hades seeks her own solution. She finds it in the graceful living weapon that is Demeter’s most prized creation.

From the day she sprang from the vat that grew her, the cyborg Persephone has carved out her place from blood and viscera. Fighting her way out from under her godly mother’s control to the unlikely sanctuary of the Underworld is only another step to seize a life for herself. Her agreement to pilot the flagship mech of Hades’ arsenal is not to save Elysium but to make herself indispensable and quell the bloodlust that fills her. Yet Persephone is drawn closer to Hades and Hephestus as she explores who she is outside of her mother’s creature. A fierce loyalty to both settles in, even as their devotion to the city remains inscrutable to her.

Taking up each other’s causes, they face not only the colossi, but the web of politics within the city and Demeter’s inscrutable and cruel designs for her daughter.

Reflections: Persephone is a fun protagonist. She’s deeply unempathetic and thinks nothing of human lives despite her position as an eidolon pilot making her a protector and champion of the citizenry. (Her hunger for violence and disregard for the lives she protects are contrasted even with the inhuman and oft uncaring gods.) She’s an abused child who has eschewed any compassion even for (most) of her siblings suffering the same abuse and found strength in embracing and excelling at her role as a weapon. This fundamental aspect of her character is allowed to persist without being “fixed” by the lovers or friends who are at odds with her mindset. But she still grows as a character, the simplicity of her worldview beginning to show as childish and born of isolation and abuse as she has a chance to grow beyond her mother's control.

As strong as she is as a character, many of the relationships and side characters on her side of things didn't feel developed nearly enough. The lack of depth to Persephone’s relationship to Khrysothemis, which stuck out to me any time her sister was brought up, got an explanation in the end at least. But her quick and intense attachment to her godly suitors also wasn't as fleshed out or enmeshed with the rest of her character as I hoped would be and that got no further explanation.

On the other hand, Hades' relationship to her sister was rich with (often kind of fucked up) detail and had the history to support it all.

The world of Olympus was a fascinating place. Elysium, huddled behind its defensive walls, ruled over by capricious, inhuman gods, and still feeling the reverberations of the Titans' rule and overthrow, creates a strange, tenuous society equal parts ancient and futuristic. Seeing how these adaptations of the gods straddle that line, in many ways becoming unrecognizable, but still carrying enough of the original myths to make them who they are was one of the pleasures of this book. I enjoyed even the hint of the gods that did not feature prominently.

I don’t have a clear understanding of the limitations of the gods’ powers, though. In fighting the colossi, they are nearly powerless except to give life to their eidolons. But otherwise, they demonstrate abilities that seem like they could turn the tides of these fights with ease, or if nothing else, at least save their pilots. Their teleportation and ability to exist in multiple places, as well as the ability to create their own little realities around themselves, especially stand out as underutilized. The colossi interfere with the functioning of the eidolon and other technology, but did they restrict the gods themselves as well? I was always being surprised when the gods showed off a powerful ability because much of the time they seemed less actually divine and more superpowered humans only venerated as gods.

Notes on Rep: Hades is described as having been assumed a boy and now identifying as a woman.

#book blog #book review #bookblr #trans books #queer books #adult books #fantasy books #scifi books #trans woman #the hades calculus #maria ying

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darkmaga-returns · 8 months ago

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“If technocracy wins this battle and they implement it on a global basis, it will again take hundreds of years before the concept of freedom and liberty will resurface again. It will take a very long time; it won’t just come snapping back, it will not be a fade. Once they get control over the economic mechanism, they will virtually have control over life itself. They will make people of the world dance like puppets on a string.” ⁃ Patrick Wood, TN Editor.

This is a very important question. I think about it daily as the meteoric rise of scientism creates a new materialistic priest class, in whom you must put your faith and devotion.

What is Technocracy?

A scientific dictatorship, enabled by full-scale surveillance, in which an elite class of scientists and engineers manages every facet of life. Technocrats are “persons who exercise power by virtue of their technical knowledge.”

Technocracy is the Brave New World in Aldous Huxley’s 1932 novel, which was more a “I just got out of a meeting and here’s how it’s going down,” memo rather than a cautionary tale.

In this presentation about COVID-19, Dr. Lee Merritt, influenced by Patrick Wood’s writings on technocracy, shared the etymology:

Techn = skillKrat = kratos (divine personification of power)

She summed up technocracy: Data gathered on everybody in the world and fed to un-elected officials, who are smarter than everybody, and will use the information to create amazing solutions. It boils down to “power via differential knowledge,” meaning if you have knowledge that only a select few have, you can lord it over the majority of people.

The Internet and Total Surveillance

Once the possibility of a total surveillance state materialized with the inception of the Internet, technocracy became the crown jewel in the Cabal’s totalitarian New World Order agenda.

The timeline is speeding up. Their dreams of ruling the world are veering toward a terrifying reality with artificial intelligence, propaganda in everybody’s pocket, and a bazillion data points on every man, woman, and child on Earth.

Patrick Wood, the OG of technocracy research, said once we reach a scientific dictatorship society … “liberty will be a historic curiosity.”

In order to achieve this goal, the technocrats developed mass surveillance, which has only been possible in the modern age with the Internet. This is their time to act.

Smart meters on houses monitor how much energy you consume.

Credit card transactions track consumer behavior and move people away from hard currency.

Social media fills out the dossier with beliefs, names of friends and family, images, and much more.

The Affordable Care Act digitizes your medical history.

Smart gadgets—Fitbit, Oura Ring, etc.—pass all of your vital stats to central repositories.

Smartphones track where you are, what you’re doing (they can listen in), and what information you’re consuming and entertainment you are consuming.

The Internet of Things (IoT) adds more daily data. What’s in your fridge? What do you watch on TV? And even more nefarious, there are credible reports detailing how they can watch us through our TVs.

Facial recognition software and cameras monitor every square inch of public space.

Virtual assistants like Alexa monitor your every word and train people to be useless (“please machine, turn on that light … I cannot do it myself”).

Public school jams cultural Marxism down the throat of every child, while Common Core collects 400 pieces of data on every child, which is on their record for life.

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eolewyn1010 · 3 months ago

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Book number nine of the year, and...I don't know why, but it took me weeks to get through this one. Granted, I did a lot of academical work the past weeks and lost track of time and the world around me, but this stands in a lousy contrast to Prisoner of Azkaban which I really enjoyed even now. So there it is, Harry Potter und der Feuerkelch / Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, written by You Know Whom, not currently ideologically or financially endorsed by me as this copy is old as balls. On it!

Firstly, this book is bloated. I know it's not the biggest in the series, but I was 100 pages in and the Quidditch World Cup hadn't even started, 200 pages in when school started (granted, these page numbers are those of the German translation, but still). Call me crazy, but I think JKR really lost interest in writing about learning magic at a magic school. See also Harry (and Ron) starting to wing more and more of their academical work / shoving it off to Hermione. Haha, isn't this fun? That the girl has to do all the work for the boys? I'm starting to wonder why these three are friends. Look, I'm a pretty snarky person, but most of their communication consists of barking, snapping and snarling at each other. They're not friendly. On the contrary; our vanilla protagonist Harry finally starts to develop some personality of his own - and it's the personality of a snippy jerk. Also, for all the credit and admiration he's getting, he's really not doing much worth of glory. Hagrid tells him what the first Triwizard task is about, fake Moody all but spells out to him how to get through it, and broom flying is Harry's natural talent; he didn't need to work for that. Cedric and Myrtle tell him what the second task is about, and Harry never figures out how to handle it so Dobby has to serve him the solution on a silver platter as a good widdle slave does. Only task Harry puts any work into is the third one, and he only wins that one because fake Moody gets the other champions out of the way.

And after all of that, Harry manages to not get killed by Voldemort...via the sheer coincidence of his wand doing something weird in the duel, without Harry's input. Does Harry ever do anything in this book? Even in the biggest moments of drama? Anyway. Winky is here, S.P.E.W. is here, and the entire slavery apologist track that never gets contradicted. Jooooy. Bill Weasley is here, and we are all supposed to believe that the colonizer and grave robber who hooks up with a teenager is the coolest guy on earth. Although he apparently has a shitty taste in girls, because Fleur doesn't get the most friendly presentation. I'm pretty sure we're supposed to view her with disdain, because Ginny and Hermione view her with disdain, because...she's pretty. And she likes being pretty. What a bitch. Also, you can't trust them Durmstrangs because they're racists! Nevermind the lousy, patronizing treatment that muggles and squibs get even in the world of the oh so progressive British wizards. Also, I can't be the only one who noticed that Sirius' characterization does a complete 180 from this book to the next? Here, he's so worried and fatherly about Harry, keeps telling him to be cautious, comes to Hogwarts to watch out for him, is surly with Dumbledore about not letting Harry sleep after a really shitty adventure. Come Order of the Phoenix, Sirius suddenly is a jock who never grew out of his marauder phase, who encourages Harry to do risky stuff and doesn't consider him even a different person than James. What's up with that?

Also, Rita Skeeter, lest we think that journalism can be a good thing and contribute to society in a meaningful way - or lest we think that a mannish-looking person in garish feminine attire could behave other than predatory. Also, Harry gets told that he totally should be a cop. Also, a whole decent characterization of Cedric that JKR herself later took a big dump on in The Cursed Child. Also, petty jealousy because Cedric dares to date the girl that Harry finds attractive (I will not write 'the girl Harry likes'; he has barely ever spoken to Cho, that crush is so shallow). Also, whatever weird love triangle Ron and Hermione and Victor Krum were acting out that didn't sell me on Ron/Hermione at all. Also, Dudley gets again magically disfigured by someone who has never spoken to him and thus cannot have a personal problem with him, and honestly he hasn't really done anything in this book except wanting to eat more than a piece of grapefruit for breakfast, but he deserves to be bullied because he's fat! JKR really hates fat people. And just so we don't lose sight of who is the billionaires the elite the really important part of society here, nobody gives much of a fuck about the muggles who were abused and then mind-wiped at the Quidditch World Cup. Or the one that Voldemort murdered. Who caaaaares, they're only plebs muggles; there's more where they came from! I'm not sure why this book in particular pissed me off so much, but it is the first of the series that gives me the impression that Harry is extremely self-centered, as is the wizarding society with its superiority ideology as a whole.

This book gets two out of five squids, not because it's the worst of the series - it's not - but because it dragged and dragged and reading it was so not a joy: 🦑🦑

#Harry Potter #books #reading year 2025

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maxinery · 3 months ago

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Twilight Saga: Eclipse - Book Review

Reviewer Note: I now know what it's like to be the cuck in a weird, fourth-wall breaking, parasocial romance between an author and their creation. Thank you Stephanie Meyer :3

Rating: 8/20 dead as hell vampires 🧛

Would Recommend?: if only to read once in your life

Review: To preface, I grew up on these movies, and have always been a die-hard Team Edward (I've since deluded myself into head-cannoning movie Bella as an adult with a fully developed frontal lobe. After growing past the age of 8, I can see how this man shouldn't be allowed within 50 feet of a woman).

My consumption of the first two books in the saga were almost entirely fueled by my own nostalgia. I figured that with a fresh, grown set of eyes I would be able to laugh at the absurdity of the books. By the third book, though, I've realized I'm now on the same track as many before me, unable to stop reading this slop and hurdling towards the last book and the eminent crashout it's going to inflict on my psyche.

There is a COMPLETELY different conflict beginning to form in Eclipse (and some of New Moon) that breaks literally every piece of storytelling from what was a very enjoyable and mindless read in the first book. As many before me have said, I think that Stephanie Meyer created this entirely accidental horror series, where both the reader and characters in the book are subject to the entirely nonsensical delusions of a woman in love with her own creation.

The most prominent example for me was the relationship between Bella and Jacob, who (in the simplest, most superficial of terms) had a healthy, positive relationship beginning to develop. Bella was starting to move on from Dusty, recovering from (for a teenage girl) a very world-ending experience. So... we take this very interesting dynamic between Bella and her second male-lead, and then completely strip the characters of their free will, and force them into this weird alternate reality where all of their thoughts, feelings, and actions revolve around Edward. Edward, who Stephanie has this weird parasocial love for not AT ALL connected to the main premise of the book.

I swear Dusty is the only character that matters to her, and with every installation of these books it just confirms it even more for me.

Let me put myself into Stephanie's shoes right now:

Sure, let's take this 16 YEAR OLD CHILD, who genuinely just cares for his friend (and yeah maybe stupidly pursues her throughout New Moon) and completely uproot his life. Then, let's have Bella, who from the beginning never intended to be romantically involved with Jacob, be indecisive, and take advantage of the genuinely caring friend that Jacob was. Of course because he is a second male-lead, I never expected him to get the girl. But... STEPHANIE!!!

Why would you take a perfectly fine romantic conflict, with actual stakes and an interesting enough dynamic with the main character, and take away LITERALLY all of his desirable qualities and reduce him to a WEIRD, COERCIVE, 'nice guy' that has zero respect for his supposed 'best friend' by book 3??? Whatever it takes to make sure Stephanie and Dusty get their happy ending, though, right? She even added in some cute scenes of Jacob and Bella towards the end, but it seemed more of an afterthought, band-aid kind of solution that seemed really unnecessary after the first half of Eclipse.

I won't even begin to talk about the overtly racist rhetoric that stinks up these pages, since I think plenty before me who are more knowledgeable have gone over just about everything.

I think after Eclipse specifically, it is so clear to me that Stephanie and Edward are on their own team (along with all the Cullens- maybe excluding Rosalie- as their plot devices), while every other poor sap stuck in this universe are their opposition. You, as the reader, know that every possible details that could add any stakes or nuance in Bella's decision will be stomped out.

Stephanie, I salute you for being able to accidentally create one of the scariest dynamics in any novel I have ever read, but in all the wrong ways. Though, maybe I'm a little biased in my thinking, because I know the literary atrocities that await me in the next installment (*shivers*... imprinting).

I'll see all you soldiers still catching up on this series on the other side of the war. o7

#book review #twilight #twilight eclipse #books #twilight saga

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furiaehope · 1 year ago

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True Appearance (1)

(One evening in the office)

Matilda:

Why are there so many research archives?

I’m burned out.

Does the timekeeper want us to tire ourselves out?

Sonetto:

Maybe the end of the world is coming, and we must work harder to live up to the timekeeper's expectations.

Matilda:

But where is the timekeeper now?

Joshua:

Hmm... this is a good question.

Have you noticed that Timkeeper disappears after 18:00 this past two weeks?

Matilda:

Yes! I also noticed that Sonetto couldn't sleep because she was worried about Timkeeper.

Sonetto:

（A bit ashamed）

There is no such thing Matilda.

If we're worried about Timekeeper, why not ask Mr. X?

Maybe he knows what the timekeeper is busy with after 18:00.

They agreed with Sonetto's idea, so they used their free time to go to Laplace Computing Center.

(At Laplace Computing Center)

Mr. X:

So you came to me because of Timekeeper? Although I know the various properties of Arcanist very well, I have no way of knowing the whereabouts of Timekeeper.

I'm so sorry that I may not be of much help, but those of you who often deal with Timekeeper should know the situation of Timekeeper better than I do.

Joshua:

I see what you mean, thank you.

I also want to ask Mr. X two more questions

First of all, has Mr. X noticed that the timekeeper's personality changes very quickly?

Second, I needed the chip material to make the tracker. Can you share some with me please?

Mr. X:

Yeah, Timekeeper was originally a very calm thinker, but recently he has been particularly prone to anger.

Additionally you need some chip material!? No problem, I will ask Miss John Titor to bring it to you.

Joshua:

Great, then I want to ask Sonetto and Matilda if you think there is anything unusual about the timekeeper's personal state.

Sonetto:

The timekeeper sometimes seems to be a different person, very mature and steady, like a handsome man.

This makes me a little tempted

Matilda:

Um? Do you feel tempted, Sonetto?

pfff I really envy the timekeeper!

Regarding the timekeeper's personality I once saw she suddenly resemble that of a young and scared child Obviously not in line with her usual calm attitude.

Joshua:

Thank you all for the detailed explanation. I get it and I'll figure out a solution.

Sonetto:

At 18:00 in the evening, the timekeeper left the office on time. Maybe there was something unspeakable, and she didn't want everyone to share the pressure.

Matilda:

Hope nothing serious

Mr. X:

It sounds like Joshua's favorite horror story happened to Timekeeper.

In the past, the Foundation caused a lot of psychological trauma to Timekeeper, which gave her a high chance of developing a split personality.

It's also possible that a ghost is possessing the Timekeeper or a combination of both.

Joshua:

Fine. I need some calm time to think about the true horror of this.

Mr. X:

Wait...！

Miss John Titor is here.

Ta-da your materials Joshua!

John Titor:

49276D4A6F686E5469746F72

54686973206973207468652063686970206d6174657269616c20796f752077616e74

Joshua got the materials. He said that the finished product would be attached to a beautiful pendant. After asking Sonetto to disguise it as a gift and give it to the Timekeeper, he asked Bkornblume to take over the task and track the target's route and location.

（One day The bell rings, Bkornblume answers the call )

Bkornblume:

Hello can I help you?

...I got it

To be continued...

#reverse 1999 #mr. x

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o2love · 5 months ago

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all about me! (tag game)

tagged by @bluecodexs 💗 (thanks may!!)

last song: the travelling song by will.i.am.

favorite color: orange, yellow and pink!

last movie: taxi 3 and the nightmare before christmas (i watched both in the same day, so i don't remember).

last book: meu pé de laranja lima (my sweet orange tree) by josé mauro vasconcelos and a series of unfortunate events by lemony snicket (same case of the movie one, i read them in the same day).

sweet, spicy, or savory: sweet, definitely. i LOVE sweet things since i was a child.

last thing i googled: the sims 3 update (i was curious to know what's new).

current obsession: i don't know... oc bingos? (i'm trying to develop some ocs right now).

looking forward to: medical exams and a solution for my chronic pain and shaky hands / feet. plus, be more creative this year.

i lost track who already did from my dash, so if you see this and want to do it, i tag you. really, it will be fun to see.

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genshinnrambles · 6 months ago

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Archon Quest Chapter V Notes - Act III, IV, and Interlude

Concluding my review of the Natlan Archon Quests ideas, concepts, and plots with all content from version 5.1 and 5.2. Content from version 5.0 can be found here. Like before, the purpose of these notes is to organize the ideas presented in each act. The themes, introduced concepts, main plot, and subplots are summarized as I saw them, with some denoted speculations.

Spoilers: Again, it’s in the title. If you’re not caught up, you have been warned!

Disclaimer: This is clearly not exhaustive, and I might have missed things/underemphasized things that deserved more space. This group of acts is very dense, especially Act IV.

Act III: Beyond the Smoke and Mirrors

Themes: Deceit/illusions, guilt/regret*, sacrifice*, debt, facing the impossible, “No one fights alone”**

*repeating theme from Act II, **repeating theme from Act I

(in Act III + IV, “debt” and “facing the impossible” are shared dominant themes in the way that “No one fights alone” was for Act I and II)

Concepts Introduced:

Ancient Names (pt. 2): Not a new concept, but deepening its complexity. Ancient Names can be forged, which we learned at the end of Act II. However, they’re forged with memories of its first hero’s deeds within Natlan. That is, the hero’s legacy must be recorded in the Night Kingdom for it to work.

Vision system parallels intensify! This whole thing about the Traveler getting an Ancient Name does remind me of what Miko said at the end of the Inazuma AQ about the Traveler maybe getting a Vision someday. Still not sure if this is intended to be the follow up for that, or if more will be revealed.

The Lord of the Night: the entity who rules the Night Kingdom and protects Natlan from the Abyss.

“Incomplete Soul”: A special condition afflicting Ororon since he was a child. Due to the fragmented nature of his soul, his body has the potential to house more than one soul at a time. This condition was once seen as a potential solution to Natlan’s damaged Ley Lines, but the Masters of the Night-Wind’s ceremony failed and Ororon escaped the Night Kingdom with his life.

Pyro Gnosis: Specifically, its ability to weave the souls of the Night Kingdom into a “net” that would protect the Ley Lines from Abyssal corrosion. This was the contingency plan the previous Pyro Archons developed against the threat of the Abyss.

Source Mechanism: An ancient dragon relic that has a similar function to the Pyro Gnosis.

Main Plot:

Like Act I, Act III is meant to set up all of the conflict in Act IV and let the subplots have some time to breathe. The main plot is pretty simple for this act: abyss attacks are getting more frequent, and Mavuika is setting up information networks between tribes to counter them. As the Traveler tries to solve the conundrum of forging their Ancient Name, they learn that The Captain has concerns about Mavuika’s plan – according to him, Mavuika is lying to them all, and yet another way to resolve the crisis exists. But everything is so confusing! Who’s telling the truth, and who’s lying? And that’s because this act is all about deception, hence the “smoke and mirrors,” beyond which lies the truth. Anyway, here’s some more detailed summary:

With the Traveler officially recruited to Mavuika’s plan, things are looking up. Only problem is, the Traveler is an outlander, and they’ll need an Ancient Name for the plan to work. To get an Ancient Name, the Traveler’s accomplishments in Natlan need to be acknowledged in the Night Kingdom. Xilonen, the awakened hero from the Children of Echoes and an Ancient Name forger, suggests they meet with Citlali of the Masters of the Night-Wind to determine the path forward. Before they go, Kinich passes them his intel about Capitano’s co-conspirator, Ororon, who is yet another person from the Masters of the Night-Wind. He proposes they offer Citlali to help track Ororon and determine the nature of his involvement with the Fatui in exchange for her help with forging the Ancient Name.

Citlali accepts this exchange: once Ororon is back, she’ll take the Traveler to see the Lord of the Night, the ruler of the Night Kingdom, to resolve the Ancient Name conundrum. While looking for clues of Ororon’s whereabouts using a phlogiston trail, Citlali and the Traveler split up at a fork in the trail, playing right into Capitano’s hands. Ororon lures the Traveler’s soul into the Night Kingdom, where the Harbinger requests a meeting in person to disclose his intentions. Privately, Ororon also requests the Traveler’s silence about his willing participation from Citlali. Once they return to their body, they go with Citlali to a nearby Fatui camp where they find Ororon and take him back to the Stadium.

The Traveler meets up with Capitano to the east of the Stadium. There, he reveals his dissatisfaction with Mavuika’s plan and its over-reliance on fate given the stakes. Capitano then makes two claims: first, Mavuika has a contingency plan for the Abyss’s invasion that she hasn’t disclosed to the heroes, ergo she is lying to all of them, and second, he has found a new way to combat the crisis that doesn’t involve the Gnosis. Citlali interrupts the meeting, and The Captain flees. Ororon is tight-lipped under all of Citlali’s questioning and eventually manages to trick her and slip away.

Citlali gets piss drunk to deal with her grandson’s apparent betrayal and the shame of explaining his situation to the Traveler. In truth, Ororon has a “fragmented soul,” meaning he can be a vessel for more than one soul at a time. The Masters of the Night-Wind tried to use Ororon’s unique constitution to guide lost souls back into the Night Kingdom, even though the ceremony would have cost him his life. The ceremony failed, and he survived—Citlali had never given her approval for it, but she also didn’t try to stop it at the time.

The Abyss attacks are getting more frequent and widespread. The Traveler asks Mavuika to verify Capitano’s claims about the Gnosis. Like the metaphysical “net” used to capture the concepts of Kachina’s Ancient Name, the Gnosis can weave souls into a “net” to cover the Ley Lines and repel the Abyss. The cost is all of Natlan’s history and culture, as the memories of these souls would be lost in the process. And this plan could still fail, so Mavuika is unwilling to entertain it.

Xilonen: Life is important, but so are history and memory.

The Traveler helps Mualani, Xilonen, and Kachina at the Children of Echoes. Mualani laments how her lack of speed may have contributed to some people getting hurt in the attack, setting up the importance of the “chain reaction” of decisions that comes to a head in the next act. Chasca and Chuychu come across some valuable intel - the Fatui are trying to dig up a dragon relic called the “Source Mechanism,” which Mavuika assumes has a similar role to the Gnosis given Capitano’s interest in it. Citlali returns from the Masters of the Night-Wind with more news of Ororon. Though he came to defend the tribe from the Abyss attack, he refused to abandon his plan due to his “duty to Natlan as a whole.” Unbeknownst to Ororon, Citlali copied his recent memories onto an old gem that controls the soul-stabilizing talisman she created for him. She and the Traveler spy on his memories with the gem to determine the truth of his involvement, and this is what they find:

First, Ororon is baby and talks to his vegetables. Second, Capitano was originally looking for Citlali, and seems to have some knowledge of the Masters of the Night-Wind’s soul ferrying spells. Ororon watches Capitano’s duel with Mavuika from the shadows and deploys his smoke trick to allow Capitano to escape the Stadium. In the cavern seen at the end of Act II, Capitano reveals he is searching for information on the Night Kingdom, which is why he’s seeking Citlali (basically, almost the same reason we were seeking her out). Ororon chooses to collaborate with him so that he can fulfill his “duty,” and proposes that they reconstruct the Ley Lines themselves to avoid the contingency plan. But what is the cost? Paimon compares this plan to Khaenri’ah’s Loom of Fate.

Subplots:

Citlali’s loneliness and guilt. She’s eccentric, intense, and a bit sensitive. Many in her tribe are jealous of her and her accomplishments – she is “the impossible” to the rest of her tribe, but where does that leave her? She’s clearly not used to socializing with others, but she has a soft spot for Ororon as a fellow eccentric. Ororon's kindness means a lot to Citlali, and is one more reason she beats herself up for not stopping the ceremony.

(yes, that really happened to her)

Ororon’s fragmented soul and the potential for him to “ferry” lost souls into their final resting place, the Night Kingdom. Citlali suspects his involvement with the Fatui is related to his guilt for the ceremony’s failure to repair the Ley Lines - this was his “duty” as a vessel, to be sacrificed for a greater good. In other words, he feels he has a debt to pay to Natlan. "Debt" and "soul ferrying" are parallels he shares with Capitano.

Ororon: I want to change Natlan for the better. Something I can accomplish with my own two hands…

(stares in Tsurumi Island)

More important Mavuika development - again we see her acute awareness of the weight of a soul, the value of memory, and the thread of culture through time. This is what allows people to face the impossible, knowing that they’re part of a legacy of people who faced it too.

(and uh, this is basically the message of the Honkai: Star Rail Penacony arc that wrapped up last spring. “Witnessing the impossible,” ‘death’ (dormancy), and facing the primal fear of life as did all humans that came before you).

“No one fights alone” is more subtle in this act. Its opposite is exhibited through Ororon’s behavior, icing Citlali out of his true intentions and dealing with his wish to save Natlan by himself. Its true meaning is seen when the Traveler loops the others in about Capitano’s secret plan, when they go to the Children of Echoes to deal with an Abyssal Pylon, and when Chasca and Chuychu team up to infiltrate the Fatui base. Citlali experiences a positive development related to the theme that contrasts with Ororon’s current negative development of the theme. Also, more snack sharing!

Chasca and Chuychu’s affection for one another is further developed through their excellent teamwork during the Fatui base infiltration. One of Chuychu’s flaws is also established: as a doctor, she cares for others before she cares for herself. This is mirrored in Chasca’s reckless tendencies due to her Abyssal affliction. They are both stubborn individuals, which is why they push each other’s buttons.

The ancient dragon civilization subplot continues here from the last act. Last time, we saw the ruins of the old civilization in the first layers underground, between a rift entrance to the Night Kingdom and the surface where Natlan’s human civilization lives. Now, we see their technology is potentially mirrored by a creation of the Heavenly Principles.

Capitano’s previous involvement and relationship to Natlan, elaborated on in later acts.

Ororon: People can lie, but souls cannot. I can tell there’s a weight to your soul, a sense of justice.

Act IV: The Rainbow Destined to Burn

“Light can refract into countless colors, but people stop at seven because they're too lazy to count. Perhaps the elements are like that, too.” Achievement: Colors of the Rainbow, Namecard description

Themes: “No one fights alone”*, legacy*, debt, facing the impossible, despair and the fear of death, fate**

*repeating themes from Act I **repeating theme from Act II

Concepts Introduced:

Bidii (Devotion): Ororon’s Ancient Name, also held by Sanhaj (Cataclysm Era).

“Sleep”: Not really a new concept in lore, but defined in a new way - the Lord of the Night says that sleep is how they extended their existence as long as they have.

The Lord of the Night (pt. 2): Yohualtehcutin, an “Angel” (Seelie) who created the Night Kingdom at Ronova’s command. They refer to Natlanese as their “children.” The Lord of the Night would dispassionately offer their own death to reconstruct the Ley Lines if that was what Mavuika wished.

Natlan is full of callbacks to Enkanomiya, and this is no exception. In the 2.5 main event, Three Realms Gateway Offering, Tsumi says something similar about the Dainichi Mikoshi:

Tsumi: This tower seems to hear my wishes... I just need to think the thought and it will change its brightness. Tsumi: And if I so desire, it will collapse before me. Tsumi: With the cognitive equivalent of a click of the fingers, I could destroy this source of great pain for the vishaps. Tsumi: So why... why can't I do it...?

In the Remuria world quest, Sybilla was said to “lack a persona,” which is what led to “Phobos” destroying Remus’s civilization:

"Phobos": Sybilla's wish was to grant happiness to all in the world who are called humans. But she had no persona, and her strength was insufficient. "Phobos": Thus, she entrusted her wisdom to Remus, and with the addition of the power that Remus possessed, the "Symphony" [Phobos] was created. That is to say, me. Cassiodor: No, how can this... Cassiodor: So, the music we have played all this time, and the fate we accepted... That all came from you... "Phobos": Yes, it is "me," but it is also "all of you"! "I" am also "you all." I am the aggregate of all your wishes. Cassiodor: Eliminating our enemies, destroying other lives, destroying cities and villages... Are these also our wishes!? "Phobos": Precisely! That's what "you" wished for, and so "I" responded. Plunder, hatred, slaughter... These too are part of "your" wishes. "Phobos": Is that not what it means to give "everyone" happiness?

Xbalanque and Natlan’s rules: The first Pyro Archon who established Natlan’s “rules,” which are upheld through the traditions of the Ode of Resurrection and the Pilgrimage. That is, these traditions are the “rules.” That they have ceased to function indicates a high level of meddling.

Ronova: “The Ruler of Death,” or the shining Shade of Death who helped Xbalanque establish Natlan’s rules.

Phlogistion (pt. 2): The primordial elemental energy the Heavenly Principles used to fashion the elemental energy of the Human Realm to counter the Abyss.

Degrees of the Curse of Immortality (unofficial): Capitano alludes to Dainsleif finding a way to reduce the Curse of Immortality’s effects on him. This concept was sort of hinted at in Caribert part 1 anyway, since Chlothar found a way to die. My speculation: it’s got something to do with Time!

Pyro Archon (pt. 2): When a human ascends to the Pyro Archon’s divine throne, their “inner flame” awakens, the size of which “depends on their potential.” Ascending also awakens their ability to use Ronova’s power, but her power won’t alter like the inner flame does depending on the individual’s tolerance for it.

Ancient Names (pt. 3): Forging an Ancient Name is “an act of creation” that comes at the expense of the forger’s life force. Doing this for an Outlander seems to come at a more significant cost than otherwise.

Baraka (Blessing): Xilonen’s Ancient Name, previously held by Sundjatta (Cataclysm Era).

Haborym: The demon name for the Pyro Archon.

Vuka (Transcension): Chasca’s Ancient Name, previously held by Menilek (Cataclysm Era).

Mark of Gosoythoth: An Abyssal Tumor that’s impervious to attacks, unlike past ‘tumors’ the Traveler encountered. These are considered part of the “black sun”’s body.

“Fragments” behind the False Sky: Still faintly visible in Natlan’s sky after this act’s conclusion, these fragments are speculated to be a deceased Moon Sister’s remains.

Main Plot:

This act does many things, not easily reduced to a paragraph summary. On a character level, it establishes Capitano’s fatal flaw and best qualities: his honor and sense of justice. It establishes the material threat of Abyssal invasion outside of optional lore readables and passed down stories. It raises the stakes of victory even further by establishing Mavuika's life as one of the costs. It lays a few crumbs about how the final showdown in Act V might go, and how the Traveler might avert the worst timing of this fated outcome. It also hints that Capitano may play a part in averting this fate. Lastly, it visually pays off a four year old lore bit that has haunted veteran players since 1.1: “the stars, the sky..it’s all a gigantic hoax. A lie.” For more detailed summary:

As Mavuika suspected, using the Source Mechanism is just a proxy for the Gnosis contingency plan with the same price, so Mavuika says we gotta smash it. Xilonen, Kinich, Mavuika, and the Traveler head to more dragon ruins to catch up with Capitano and Ororon. As the latter two turn on the device, Ororon is overwhelmed by agony and gets possessed by a spirit very familiar with Capitano. The spirit chides The Captain for defending Ororon and losing his chance to implement the plan.

Inside his head, Ororon struggles with the meaning of his existence as he finds the will to cling to his life again. Guthred, the Khaenri’ahn soul inhabiting his body, tries to trick him into submission so that he can serve his own obsession with fighting at Capitano’s side. Mavuika’s consciousness creates an opening for Ororon to escape the fog, and he returns to the waking world.

“Hero” is not a fate determined at birth, but a potential to fulfill on one’s own terms. By realizing this, Ororon awakens as the hero of the Masters of the Night-Wind, earning Sanhaj’s acknowledgment and inheriting his memories. By using the Source Mechanism, Capitano and Ororon also awakened Yohualtehcutin, the Lord of the Night. They reveal that they are the “Angel” that sustains the Night Kingdom; with the power infused in them from the Source Mechanism, they offer their life as a sacrifice to recreate Natlan’s Ley Lines from scratch. Mavuika and Capitano argue over the merits of this path, with Capitano in favor due to the regret and guilt he feels for surviving Khaenri’ah’s fall, and Mavuika against it because it would fail to end the cycle. For now, they agree to a temporary alliance given one more part of Mavuika’s plan was set in motion through Ororon. The Traveler asks the Lord of the Night a few Lore Questions™ about Ronova, the Loom of Fate (LotN approves), phlogiston, and their Ancient Name.

Back at the Stadium, Mavuika has questions of her own for The Captain. He first learned the secret of the Gnosis from Ayizu, a former chief of the Masters of the Night-Wind who fought with him during the Cataclysm. After returning to Natlan to assess Mavuika’s progress on the oath, Capitano’s men combined the research results of Aberewaa, Bosomtwe, and Cuxtal to locate the Source Mechanism. His priority is saving Natlan; the Tsaritsa’s goal is secondary to this, and he isn’t worried about her reaction to his personal mission here. Once the six heroes are united, Mavuika can use Ronova’s power only once against the Abyss.

Xilonen and Citlali meet with the Lord of the Night to discuss the Ancient Name dilemma. Forging a Name for an outlander will cost Xilonen her life (it’s not immediately clear if she means her life or a significant amount of her life force), but she's determined to follow through. Citlali also shares her concerns about Mavuika’s plan; when she used a ceremony to peer into Mavuika’s future, she glimpsed death, the price of borrowing Ronova’s power:

Citlali: She's not the type of person to just quietly accept her death! Citlali: The Traveler shares that quality. That's why I think this gamble is worth it. Together, I know they can overcome the impossible, be it fate... or death.

Before going back to sleep, the Lord of the Night gives them the Pilgrim’s Chronicle. This will act as a vessel for Natlan’s memories of the Traveler so that they can forge the Ancient Name. Shortly after giving it to the Traveler, The War begins.

Each player’s experience with the war is unique and depends on the choices they make throughout the gameplay. Certain combinations of choices will result in more deaths than others—the “chain reaction” Mualani talked about in the last act. Each choice has a cost, and it’s impossible to help everyone. The gameplay uses endless enemy waves, excruciatingly slow air travel, and “anxiety” measurements like Abyssal corrosion levels, black clouds over the map, and casualty counters to contribute to the player’s sense of desperation and hopelessness. As the Traveler zips around Natlan fighting the Abyss, the sky darkens with clouds and night falls. And then shit goes from bad to worse.

A “black sun” rises into the purple sky from the Sacred Flame and opens tens of Abyssal wormholes in close proximity to one another. It rains down crystallized “branches,” the Mark of Gosoythoth, that are resistant to elemental attacks, thereby providing permanent gates from the Abyss to Teyvat. The Flower-Feather Clan is hit with the brunt of it, and the Traveler encounters a severely injured Chuychu and Chasca near the Stadium. They try to purify the Abyssal energy out of her, but it's too late and Chuychu succumbs to her wounds. Chasca almost flies into a rage, but she manages to calm down on her own; this will to transcend her pain awakens Chasca as the hero of the Flower-Feather Clan.

With all of the heroes awakened, Mavuika gathers them in the Stadium so that she can ascend as Natlan’s “sun.” Each hero recites the words they heard upon awakening, and Mavuika gains Ronova’s power. With this power-up, the Marks of Gosoythoth are no longer impervious, and the Ode of Resurrection’s power extends to all Natlanese.

Mavuika uses Ronova’s power to punch the black sun back into the Night Kingdom — and in the process, she reveals one of the Heavenly Principles’ best-kept secrets:

(sound of Wanderer laughing in the distance)

The long night is over, but one more fight remains, and the Traveler has to face it with Mavuika alone. She shares a vulnerable moment with them at the victory feast, lamenting the same things as everyone else - a lack of time, a lack of ubiquity, and the limits of the individual. In the end, her goal is an “eternal peace” for Natlan. Is such an outcome really possible?

In her realm of consciousness, Mavuika revisits more conversations and says all of her ‘lines’ in the fragmented conversations. She revisits Xbalanque’s pact with Ronova, where she requested his silence about her complicity in his plan. In the Speaker’s Chamber, the Traveler asks Mavuika more Lore Questions™. Beneath the earth, Capitano visits the Lord of the Night again. He beseeches their help to face his “final foe,” which perhaps means Ronova herself.

Subplots/analysis:

Ororon’s guilt is resolved, ending his negative development of “No one fights alone.” Through Ororon, Natlan makes a clear argument against any one individual being responsible for the good of the collective – rather, it is each person’s responsibility to rise to the occasion, generation after generation.

Kunnau: Savior? Hah, sounds nice, doesn't it? But, does such a person truly exist? Even if they do, why would you have to become that person?

Capitano and Mavuika’s disagreement reflects Khaenri’ah’s divergence from the rule of the Seven. Capitano’s position can be described by one of Hoyo’s favorite themes to repeat through all of their IPs: “no matter the cost.” It encompasses the extremes people are willing to go to for their survival; in Capitano’s case, he sees the memories and culture recorded in the Ley Lines as a small price to pay for Natlan’s survival. He thinks this way because he understands the cost of losing your homeland forever. Mavuika sees this as short-sighted, because paying this enormous price will do nothing to actually beat the Abyss back so that this new generation would have a chance to live in peace. The cycle will just repeat itself eventually.

Mavuika’s duty to Natlan—her “debt,” if you will. Alongside this is the debt she owes to Ronova for borrowing her power. My pet theory is that “fate,” as Lord of the Night describes here, has an analogue in Alhaitham’s description of “gray areas” in Act V of Sumeru’s AQ:

Yohualtecuhtin, Lord of the Night: Don't forget, Citlali... Even if it may seem like someone is fated to die, the nature of death and fate are different. Yohualtecuhtin, Lord of the Night: Fate indicates what will happen in the future — the time, manner, and place are all predetermined. But, death is different. Death is a rule. [...] Yohualtecuhtin, Lord of the Night: The Ruler of Death cares little for the time and manner of a death. She simply guarantees that it will occur. Yohualtecuhtin, Lord of the Night: Fate may be able to influence the timing, but that is all the Traveler can change.

Alhaitham: Imagine if you've been using a device like the Akasha since the day you were born. And this device has always supported you during times of need... Alhaitham: After all that time, what do you think you'd become? Paimon: Uh... A fool? A machine? Alhaitham: A slave to orders. Alhaitham: And that's why rules are so important. Alhaitham: In addition, those who understand the rules can delineate boundaries, and identify gray areas. Paimon: Hmm... but why would you need to identify the gray areas? Alhaitham: You could say that those kinds of ambiguous zones can be very interesting. One might even say they're advantageous in the right hands...

Perhaps more accurately, the gray areas are Descenders. If the Traveler can influence the timing of Mavuika’s impending death, in effect changing her “fate,” if not the outcome, then they can obey Ronova’s “rule” without sacrificing Mavuika in the war. But that’s just a theory.

The heart-breaking conclusion of Chuychu and Chasca’s subplot. Chuychu laments the ways they misunderstood and regrets that her love for Chasca, expressed through worry and nagging, could have made things harder for her than they already were. Chuychu tried every trick up her sleeve to help Chasca manage her rage before she could do anything reckless. Without her, Chasca has to learn to manage it on her own. Chasca’s arc illustrates the value of suffering and struggle, painful as they might be, as things that shape us but don't define us.

Finally, there’s Capitano’s “debt.” His debt to his fallen comrades and lost homeland, his debt to Ayizu, who never hated him for being Khaenri’ahn, and conversely the debt Ronova owes to him, his death.

“The Captain”: For the sake of those countless lost souls, and a hope for Natlan’s future…I need your help.

Interlude: All Fires Fuel the Flame

Themes: Despair and fear of death, deceit/illusions, facing the impossible

Concepts Introduced:

Gosoythoth: The “black sun”’s name, “Reaper of the Abyss.”

Abyssal Corrosion Syndrome: A severe case of Abyss exposure that amplifies the patient’s fears and delusions. The illness has degrees of severity, with the worst cases marked by a total loss of perception of reality.

Draught of Lucidity: A medical treatment for the most severe Abyssal Corrosion Syndrome cases, developed by Guthred, the soul who in-dwelled Ororon. While this will cure their hallucinations, the patient will suffer severe chronic migraines for the rest of their life. It has a deep blue, shining color.

“Death”: The ‘rule’ that Ronova presides over - according to Capitano, she can even define the ‘form’ that “Death” takes, meaning it may not be limited to its human definition. Maybe an interesting way to think of what it means to be “granted” immortality?

Ancient Name (pt. 4): The Traveler isn’t allowed to be present when Xilonen asks for everyone’s memories of them because she needs their true thoughts and feelings.

Main Plot:

This one’s pretty short and sweet, but also allows some subplots from Act IV some breathing room before the action of Act V. This act develops Iansan as a caring and attentive coach who views each client holistically, which helps her deal with each case appropriately. It explores the dimensions of Abyss-induced fear as a form of “mental illness” and delineates some means to counter it, as well as the “cost” of those methods. Finally, it raises the drama surrounding Capitano's personal motivation to save Natlan without disclosing the details of his plan.

The Traveler heads to the Flower-Feather Clan and teams up with Iansan to deal with the aftermath of the war. There, they find three severe cases of Abyssal Corrosion Syndrome: Atoco, whose fear has mentally returned him to a childhood memory; Cochitta, who is paralyzed by her fear of the Abyss; and Ocotlan, who thinks he’s still out fighting the Abyss. The Traveler’s purification power does nothing to ease it. Iansan proposes a case-by-case approach, since no cure from their historical records exist.

Atoco’s case is resolved by reenacting his childhood memory to completion, similar to what was done in the Thelxie event. The Traveler indwells a Qucusaur to play the “role” of Duarte, Atoco’s deceased saurian companion, guiding Atoco out of his “ocean” of fear.

Cochitta fears losing her family to the Abyss, which motivates her to fight – in her delusional state, the fear becomes full-blown despair that her actions are futile, and the Abyss is indestructible. Her case is resolved by demonstrating that her fear is baseless by defeating some Abyss monsters; in other words, her concrete actions dispel an illusion.

Iansan: Most people say the first step is the hardest. But, it's not actually all that hard. Exaggerating the difficulty in your own head is where the fear comes in. Iansan: "I'll never get it," "Might as well not try”... I hear that kind of talk all the time. But, if you break your goal into smaller parts, the first steps might actually turn out to be the easiest.

Ocotlan’s case is not as simple. His steadfast resolve to fight becomes exactly what makes his Abyssal Corrosion Syndrome case so severe—you guessed it, it’s his fatal flaw. To treat it, Capitano and Iansan give him the Draught of Lucidity. When Octolan’s consciousness returns, he describes his previous state as a “strange dream.”

Capitano elaborates on his personal mission and his reason for fighting. Due to his honor and sense of justice, he regards his role in the war 500 years ago as a failure; again, he references the debt he feels he owes to his fallen comrades and Natlan. His goal remains a secret, but involves bringing Natlan’s souls a lasting peace. Using the gardener metaphor from Shadows Amidst Snowstorms, Capitano compares Khaneri’ahns to “weeds” in the eyes of the Heavenly Principles.

Back at the Stadium, Xilonen asks for the Pilgrim’s Chronicle and everyone’s memories of the Traveler, which will form the basis of their Ancient Name. End scene!

Subplots/Analysis:

Iansan makes a case against extreme ways of thinking, marked by words like “never,” “always,” and “impossible.” In Teyvat, these extremes are embodied through the diametrically opposed Abyss and Heavenly Principles. In this case, she is referring to the Abyss and its despair as limiting thoughts that obscure the details to maintain a facade of insurmountability. “Defeating the Abyss” is a vague goal, but breaking it into smaller, concrete goals that build towards “Defeating the Abyss” as an outcome is more manageable.

Capitano, like Khaenri’ah, symbolizes the indomitable human spirit and the will to face the impossible. In this way, he is not so different from Mavuika. His conversation with the Traveler solidifies that he will play a crucial role in Act V and changing Mavuika’s fate:

"The Captain": Her power is a rule in and of itself. Faced with such an overwhelming level of power, it can feel hopeless to resist. "The Captain": But, I am of the belief that, in this world, no destiny is unchangeable, no death inevitable, and no rule unbreakable. "The Captain": ...So, before the final moment truly arrives, we must fight harder than ever.

That’s it! I know there’s more than this, but I am tired and can’t stare at this document any longer. Might edit some more before Tuesday night. Good luck avoiding spoilers, and screw your head on tight before Act V.

#genshin impact #genshin meta #genshin lore #natlan #tillandsia sparknotes

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