Lia's BK tweets archive - 2021-08-15: Cujam, Cloudvents, Elnath

Lia @liareplaysbk · 08:41 PM · Aug 15, 2021 Permalink

Back to the Unknown Land we go!
Revisiting things first, then Cujam? Maybe we’ll start getting some answers at last.

Lia @liareplaysbk · 09:04 PM · Aug 15, 2021 Permalink

Whole lot of nothing. One villager in Naos suggesting that the main reason the place is “safe” is obscurity, though. So... we’ll see how that goes.

Villager: “Try not to do anything that would give away our village’s location, all right?”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 09:37 PM · Aug 15, 2021 Permalink

Nearly everyone in Cujam is flying around non-stop, in line with the whole “too much focus on hearts” thing.
But huh also that plaza looks REAL FAMILIAR. This is clearly Sheratan, pre-spiky vines and pre-Sky. I’m not too shocked, I expected something like this.

A stone city with ornate patterns on every surface. Title card: “Cujam, the Ruler’s Demesne”

Pieda: “Nothing’s changed here. They still completely depend on their hearts.”

Thoran: “Which is why they think they’ll be fine once that’s all they’ve got left.”

Seph: “First and foremost is Wiseman. His manor is on the other side of town.”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 09:39 PM · Aug 15, 2021 Permalink

The town is thriving, the market stalls well-stocked and most people very excited for their turn to be turned into magnus.
With a few exceptions.

Villager: “A few meetings back, my wife was turned into magnus by Wiseman.”

Villager: “Until then, we just couldn’t wait until it was our turn. Now I’m a little scared.”

Villager: “I’ve been terribly lonely since my wife has been gone. My heart is broken. I’ve even lost my wings...”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 09:52 PM · Aug 15, 2021 Permalink

It somehow takes Sagi until the main square to recognize things. The obvious gets stated out loud just in case.
(Also, PRETTY)

Milly: “Hey, doesn’t this place remind you of Sheratan? The townspeople have a completely different air about [...]”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 09:57 PM · Aug 15, 2021 Permalink

How much longer will they need to figure out they’re in the past you think?
Also the texturing on that dome is not quite right.

Milly: “I guess there’s a resemblance, but this tower looks like it was just built.”

Milly: “The tower in Sheratan is a wreck.”

Sagi: “Mm... yeah, I guess you’re right. It sure looks the same, though.”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 10:00 PM · Aug 15, 2021 Permalink

The dark whatnow?

Villager: “I don’t understand Wiseman these days. At this rate, it’s like he’s just eating people.”

Villager: “If all he does is consume them, he’s worse than the Dark Brethren. At least you can negotiate with them.”

Villager: “But with the Brethren buying souls and Wiseman eating them, it’s the end of the world, I tell you.”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 10:04 PM · Aug 15, 2021 Permalink

We can climb to the top of the tower - on a weirdly large staircase - and a flying man dares us to jump off WITHOUT wings. Otherwise it’s too easy.
Sagi’s not convinced. Can’t imagine why.

Sagi standing in a very large staircase.

Inspection text: “If someone could bring themselves to jump from a height like this, they could do anything.”

Sagi: “You’re not going to say anything crazy like, “Let’s jump!”... Right, Lia?”
Dialog choice: “Let’s jump!” and “Of course not”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 10:06 PM · Aug 15, 2021 Permalink

If you jump down using wings due to having a brain, that’s not good enough. Back up we go, try again.

Sagi: “Using my wings, right?”
Dialog choice: “Of course” and “No way!”

At the bottom of the tower, Man Gazing at Tower: “Naw, you can’t use your wings! Even I could do that. You’re just not brave enough.”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 10:10 PM · Aug 15, 2021 Permalink

If we do it without wings we get rewarded (a weapon) and Sagi somehow is neither dead nor suffering from extremely severe injuries. Go figure!

Sagi: “Are you serious?! I could die, you know!! ...You’d still tell me to jump?”
Dialog choice: “Jump!” and “You don’t have to”

At the bottom of the tower, Man Gazing at Tower: “Wow, that was a sight. That was it. That was what I’ve been waiting to see!”

Man Gazing at Tower: “Thank you! Your jump showed tremendous bravery. Please, take this in thanks.”

Sagi: “Oh man, that was scary. I’m never doing anything like that ever again.”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 10:13 PM · Aug 15, 2021 Permalink

Keep exploring, find a loom of a model I’m unfamiliar with, the treadles are tied-up weirdly and I can’t see a beater or shafts. Could still be real, of course.
However. Sagi. This is a flyer wheel. Why would it have a spindle, you doof. Yes, it’s a Sleeping Beauty joke, but NO.

Sagi standing in front of a loom with a weaver at work.

Inspection text: “This wheel is used to spin thread from cotton.”

Sagi: “That spindle looks sharp. Be careful, Milly.”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 10:16 PM · Aug 15, 2021 Permalink

*zooms more*
Or maybe not? It looks so much like one but maybe there isn’t a flyer and the spindle is so short it’s not visible... Still kinda weird.
Anyway hi I own a giant double-warp-beam sectional countermarch loom and I’ll have opinions about how videogames portray textiles

Lia @liareplaysbk · 10:58 PM · Aug 15, 2021 Permalink

Also in crafts: ceramics! Don’t stare straight into the kiln, children, that’s how you literally burn off your retinas and that’s bad.
Plus more skepticism about Wiseman’s stuff and an entirely correct line pointing out how relatively useless wings are in daily life.

Inspection text: “The artisan washes his hands here. Clay has stopped up the sink, preventing water from draining.”

Inspection: “A peek into the back of the kiln reveals a pot just recently put in to be fired.”

Ceramicist: “I’ve spent 30 years on my ceramics. If I become a magnus, will it mean all that effort was meaningless?”

Ceramicist: “I’m not criticizing Wiseman, but I’ve never felt the need to open my wings at home. Am I misguided?”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 11:03 PM · Aug 15, 2021 Permalink

To Wiseman’s manor! He has a deep, slow voice and a From Soft Ominous Laugh(TM), and that portrait does, er. Not look human.
This is a cult isn’t it

Wiseman: “Are your hearts dancing at the sight of us? Let us see them soar. Mwah hah hah hah hah...”

Wiseman: “The heart is great. Anything you desire is yours if you but seek it with your heart...”

Wiseman: “You need naught but your heart. You will lack for nothing so long as your heart remains.”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 11:04 PM · Aug 15, 2021 Permalink

Wiseman uses “we” in a way that feels very... collective, more than noble / pretentious. My read so far is an alien / other-dimensional entity of some sort and that the title Wiseman is what the local people named said entity.

Lia @liareplaysbk · 11:06 PM · Aug 15, 2021 Permalink

We witness a magnusification and the resulting particle effects are absorbed into Wiseman. “Eating them” indeed.

Wiseman: “Now, become magnus... and become free!”

A man has turned to glowing light in front of Wiseman.

Wiseman, absorbing the light: “Heh heh heh heh... A heart of magnus is eternal.”

Wiseman: “Mingling... Joining with our own!”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 11:09 PM · Aug 15, 2021 Permalink

My “This is definitely not a cult” t-shirt has people asking a lot of questions already answered by my shirt

Wiseman: “People of Cujam. Do not forget how you prosper.”

Wiseman: “You have been empowered. Fear cannot shake you, for with us you stand at the pinnacle of the world.”

Wiseman: “Covet, intertwine, and seek— Here all is granted. Here all are free.”

Wiseman: “Heh heh heh... hah hah hah... Mwah hah hah hah hah hah!!”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 11:11 PM · Aug 15, 2021 Permalink

Wiseman goes back in, the audience disperses and they’re all like this.
Sagi and crew do not react to BEING ON A BEACH, somehow.

Wiseman Votary: “The power of the heart... The power of the heart... The power of the heart...”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 11:15 PM · Aug 15, 2021 Permalink

This is a bad idea and also this manor looks very normal and definitely not ominous as hell

Wiseman: “Speak. A ruler must consider the wishes of their people.”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 11:17 PM · Aug 15, 2021 Permalink

Seph isn’t even especially rude! But we’re clearly not dealing with a reasonable actor.
The voicework on Wiseman is really, really, REALLY good.

Seph: “You’ve turned Rasalas and any number of towns and villages and people into magnus.”

Seph: “Under your leadership, we learned to use our hearts. We’ve already reached a new level of prosperity.”

Wiseman: “Because the flesh is inessential.”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 11:22 PM · Aug 15, 2021 Permalink

Where have I heard this pitch before OH YEAH, CULTS. He does a party trick with a weird wheel of... knives to show off I guess.
Also if everyone is “superior to everyone” then huuuuh.

Wiseman: “People are only truly happy when they exist as magnus, the essence of their beings.”

Wiseman: “Have you no desire to be a better you? Wiser, stronger, more beautiful?”

Wiseman: “Just imagine what you could be if you used your hearts...”

Wiseman: “... Nothing? Can you not picture yourselves stronger, superior to everyone?”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 11:24 PM · Aug 15, 2021 Permalink

He just keeeeeeeps going. Death cult.

Seph: “Those are just deluded fantasies! They’re not who we really are!”

Wiseman: “If you lived in the realm of desire... then your fantasies would become the only reality.”

Wiseman: “Do you not find it charming? The idea of a world where impurities such as the flesh are removed, and [...]”

Wiseman: “[...] the heart alone can reside?”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 11:28 PM · Aug 15, 2021 Permalink

This is interesting and not lingered on. Suggesting that both wings and magnus came from his teachings?
“Our hearts” also suggests that Wiseman does see himself as part of mankind? Hm.
(“Magna” means “great”, but can drift into meaning “the best / true” as in magnum opus)

Wiseman: “By fostering our hearts, mankind has grown wings and learned great magics.”

Wiseman: “Learned, in fact, that all things have a true, “magna” essence.”

Wiseman: “It’s time to take the next step.”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 11:31 PM · Aug 15, 2021 Permalink

Huh huh. “They ARE happy they just don’t know it yet” sure is a thing the good guys say

Wiseman: “Our people are obviously happy. Are we wrong?”

Thoran, looking annoyed: “You think the people of Rasalas were happy?”

Wiseman: “They ARE happy. They may not understand now, but the day will come when they thank us.”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 11:33 PM · Aug 15, 2021 Permalink

Who could possibly have seen this Evil Beam Of Magic moment coming

Wiseman: “Resist, if you want. But there is no point. This tide cannot be stemmed.”

Seph: “... And if I said we’ll make you stop?”

Wiseman, casting magic on everyone who has gotten ready for battle: “Haargh!”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 11:35 PM · Aug 15, 2021 Permalink

Seph is taking full blast so I’m going to stand by my guess and GODDAMNIT SAGI NOT NOW

Wiseman: “You will see. The promagnation of man is inexorable. Evolution will take its course!”

Sagi, screaming: “Ugh... argh... aaaargh... Uwaaaaaaaaaaargh!!”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 11:46 PM · Aug 15, 2021 Permalink

As always Guillo the murderpuppet is the quickest thinker (Milly is arguably an audience surrogate here). We’re back, Celsica is gone, and there are two important kids in the firing line of a machina arma.

Guillo: “The Cloudvents in Diadem... We’re back.”

Milly: “What happened? What about Wiseman?”

Guillo: “Milliarde! Make the mental leap! We’re back in Diadem now!”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 11:48 PM · Aug 15, 2021 Permalink

We rush in to fight, do single-digit damage and take group hits for half our health. No wonder, we’re not supposed to win.
After a couple turns, a barrage knocks everyone down...

The party rushing towards a tank-like machine.

The party smothered in smoke and knocked down.

Lia @liareplaysbk · 11:54 PM · Aug 15, 2021 Permalink

The locals - including a whole bunch of knights - redirect the winds to distract the tank, and everyone runs away.

Gibari: “Great, keep it up! Hit that little punk with all you’ve got!”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 11:57 PM · Aug 15, 2021 Permalink

[Cw: illustrated blood, secondary character death]
Off to the training grounds for Rambari’s last moments, which apparently do not include being at all human to his darn son.

Rambari: “Forgive me, King Ladekahn. I should be rallying your knights, not lying here in this wretched state.”

Rambari: “Stop your clamoring! Are you a knight or not?”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 11:59 PM · Aug 15, 2021 Permalink

[Cw: illustrated blood, secondary character death]
Probably Ladekahn’s turn from pre-teenage terror to the heroic king we meet in EW. Traumaaaaaaa

Ladekahn: “Uncle Ram, it’s because of you that I’m standing here right now. Thank you.”

Rambari: “Such kind words are wasted on me. Any knight would be honored to act as his king’s shield...”

Ladekahn: “I’m sorry... I’ll try harder, Uncle Ram! I’ll learn to be as strong as you!”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 12:03 AM · Aug 16, 2021 Permalink

[Cw: illustrated blood, secondary character death]
What awful parting words to have. Poor Gib.
I kinda like how this is tropey as hell but vitally undermined by Gibari 1) being a crushingly sad child and 2) having none of the epic hero nonsense.

Rambari: “Don’t cry, Gibari. Diadem’s clouds grow dark when its knights shed tears...”

Rambari: “And dark clouds... are harbingers... of great wars... There’s a saying...”

Rambari: “Gibari... it’s your turn to be your king’s shield... Heed... me...”

Gibari, furious: “Myths right until the end... Damn you, Pop. Damn you, damn you! Aaaaaaaarrrgh!!”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 12:09 AM · Aug 16, 2021 Permalink

Fade out and off to the audience room, presumably some time later.

Ladekahn: “I know. You don’t have to say it.”

Gibari: “Then let’s hurry and assemble the knights. We have to avenge Celsica and Pop.”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 12:12 AM · Aug 16, 2021 Permalink

So, remember how Gibari is not a knight anymore in EW and is really cagey about why...

Ladekahn: “The knights will be assembled to take back the Cloudvents.”

Ladekahn: “And Celsica and Uncle Ram will be avenged. I promise you that.”

Ladekahn: “But, Gib... I don’t need you to do it.”

Gibari: “What are you talking about, Kahn?!”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 12:14 AM · Aug 16, 2021 Permalink

You actually very much should give a reason for dismissing him because otherwise it’s going to break something but ALSO this doofus would not accept it anyway so, er. Probably best?

Ladekahn: “I don’t have to give a reason. I order you, as your king: Gibari, give up knighthood and return to [...]”

Ladekahn: “I’m speaking to you as your king. This is an order, Gibari.”

Gibari: “What the hell?! I don’t understand! Kahn!”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 12:15 AM · Aug 16, 2021 Permalink

OUCH

Gibari: “As you wish, sire. If that is His Majesty’s bidding.”

Ladekahn: “You can go. Take care of Nashira.”

Gibari, exiting: “Kahn! Friends forever!”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 12:21 AM · Aug 16, 2021 Permalink

Obviously this whole mess makes an alliance a no-brainer.
I like that Ladekahn does not justify himself because that would be a bit overk- ah

Ladekahn: “Diadem will join the fight against Baelheit. Pass that message to Quaestor Verus.”

Sagi: “Yes, Your Majesty. I’ll be sure to tell him.”

Dialog options: “About Gibari...” and “Let’s go”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 12:23 AM · Aug 16, 2021 Permalink

IMO this is unnecessary, the reason is obvious enough and doesn’t need to be stated. Putting it behind a dialog choice might suggest some awareness of that?

Ladekahn, looking sad: “I can’t lose Gib.”

Ladekahn: “If my life were put at risk again, I know he would do the same thing as Uncle Ram.”

Ladekahn: “But Gib’s too special to me... I can’t bear to lose him.”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 12:26 AM · Aug 16, 2021 Permalink

Gets some extra flavor in there afterwards, though! I think Milly’s wrong.

Ladekahn: “Heh... I guess I’m a poor king, saying things like that.”

Ladekahn: “If Uncle Ram were alive, he’d tell me off royally... so to speak.”

Milly: “Of course not. Nobody wants to lose the ones they care about. He’d understand.”

Ladekahn, looking sad: “You’re very kind.”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 12:27 AM · Aug 16, 2021 Permalink

If you pick “Let’s go” it jumps right here. Not much beyond a Hey Go Back To Alfard main quest hint.

Sagi: “King Ladekahn, we should probably be going soon.”

Sagi: “Once I get back to Alfard, I’ll work with the quaestor on our strategy going forward.”

Ladekahn: “I see... Then I’ll be praying for your success.”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 12:36 AM · Aug 16, 2021 Permalink

We call home to Verus to report back. Sagi remarks on the language switch to “afterlings” - which I think is how Baelheit speaks of the things? - but Verus dodges. HMMMM.
And I still don’t get how “irreversible” promachination is suggested to be. Just yeet the machines out?

Sagi: “King Ladekahn has agreed to help us, but unfortunately we couldn’t halt promachination here.”

Sagi: “We weren’t able to stop the umbra that appeared, either, sir. It was taken down by a machina arma, like [...]”

Verus: “An afterling? So there was one in Diadem...”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 12:39 AM · Aug 16, 2021 Permalink

On our way out of Elnath (to the save flower, I’ll go talk to everyone next time) we’re stopped by a knight with an awkward question.

Knight of Diadem: “I need to ask you something. You... You were there when Celsica died, were you not?”

Knight of Diadem: “Did she... At the very end, was she suffering?”

Sagi: “What should we say to him, Lia?”
Dialog choice: “She died peacefully” and “She suffered”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 12:40 AM · Aug 16, 2021 Permalink

Doesn’t make much difference (of course I tested both). I thiiiink in-character Sagi would lie.

Knight of Diadem: “Oh, that’s such a relief! I’m glad she wasn’t in pain...”

Knight of Diadem: “I... I see... So, she suffered...”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 12:43 AM · Aug 16, 2021 Permalink

Either way, we get a bit of background on Celsica since this knight knew her since boyhood, and this all... might suggests she knew something? That’s very, VERY interesting.

Knight of Diadem: “She never once spoke about her life before she came to live here, so even I don’t know the specifics.”

Knight of Diadem: “There was something about her, though... It was as if she cursed the life she was born into.”

Knight of Diadem: “Whenever the other kids teased her about being an orphan, she would just cry, bitter and angry...”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 12:44 AM · Aug 16, 2021 Permalink

And this wraps up this very, very text-heavy session. Next time: talk to everyone in Diadem see how they’re coping.