Part 28: God Is Dead

: God Is Dead – Gameplay





: As a reminder: the perks available to us for Rukey right now are the first-level perk Cloud Jump (gives Rukey a double-jump); the second-level perk Keen Eye (Rukey’s Aura is cast 50% further than normal); and, finally, his third-level perk Guiding Light (after plunging into an adversary’s Pyre, Rukey returns immediately rather than remaining banished).

: Guiding Light is a pretty crazy buff. Rukey is one of our fastest runners: if he gets the Orb and a clear shot to the Pyre, which isn’t too difficult with someone as fast as him, and with Jomuer’s Fang basically being a rolling blue carpet for him, he’ll easily be a star forward.

: Tossing the orb into the Pyre accomplishes the same thing, but that requires that Rukey stop and stay in place, and it requires some charge-up time in order to do maximum damage, and it can be intercepted. Tossing the Orb will still be the better option if Rukey has no stamina, but, just… don’t run out of stamina. If Rukey starts sprinting from center-field, he’ll easily have enough stamina to make it to the adversary’s Pyre, do a lap around it, and still get the dunk.

: Sure, he’s tied with Ti’zo and Sir Gilman with doing the least amount of damage per hit, but with a perk like this, Rukey’s gameplan will be more of a ‘death of a thousand cuts’ deal than the ‘battering ram’ style that Jodariel and Bertrude use.



: Meanwhile…





: Our available perks for Bertrude are the first-level perk Hex of Victory (Bertrude does five more Pyrepoints of damage if her Pyre is stronger than her adversary’s), and the second-level perks Greater Blast (Bertrude’s Aura can be cast at a wider angle, and it’s already pretty huge) and Sudden Blast (the charge-up time before Bertrude can cast her Aura is significantly reduced).

: If you’ve been paying attention, Bertrude’s Aura Blast is already, like, three times wider than our next-widest companion. The only person that could feasibly have compared to Bertrude’s girth was Jodariel. Making it even wider is a bit overkill – and, in part, I’m worried that making it wider will also amplify its weakness, in that if an adversary is standing in between the ‘buckshot’ of her blast, they’ll avoid it entirely.

: So, I’ll take Sudden Blast. It’s better to fire faster than to fire wider, at least in Bertrude’s case.




: …Most strange. That this one star should be illuminated, now. This is not what I expected.

: Nor I, Volfred sir.

: Then, Volfred notices you there.

: Reader… Tariq and I observed a strange occurrence in the sky, is all.

: It appears that the star of Khaylmer Rope-Caller is illuminated now. It is but another star, except… our models and predictions of the cosmos did not anticipate this. Anyway, go see for yourself. I shall make the wagon ready in the meantime.





Gfy

: We aren’t given any other choices this time: we’re heading to ‘an isolated little island in the Sea of Solis’ to do a Rite against Dalbert, and that’s that. So, no votes this time.

: It’s a bit of a shame; I didn’t really want to play Dalbert again this soon. But, at least, of all our adversaries, he’s the friendliest one, so that’s nice.



: Then, we are summoned to the Isle of Khaylmer, deep within the Deathless Tempest.

: Oh yeah, that weird spot in the middle of the ocean that Lendel had stopped at.

: Have you been there before, Tariq?

: So long ago, I scarce recall the time… only the scent. It is the place from whence the creatures native to this land sprang forth.

: Reader… let’s not concern ourselves with superstitions about that place. We’ll set forth at dawn, and soon see for ourselves what to make of it.

: What superstitions?

: Seriously. There’s no such thing as a ‘superstition’ in this game. What am I supposed to be expecting here?



: Hopefully it’s Volfred, to tell me about the superstitions I should be ignoring so that I can properly panic about them.



: It’s Bertrude, and she’s smiling. That’s much more concerning.



: You soon see why…. You have observed before how her manner seems to soften, to the degree it can, whenever Volfred is around.

: …If only I could have seen their faces, then. What was your secret, dare I ask, dear Bertrude?

: It appears that they are reminiscing about old times in the Commonwealth.

: Flame-resistant inks, Sandalwood. ‘Twas the inks themselves which kept those volumes from being burnt to ash.

: Flame-resistant inks… of course… the good officers who came to visit, they were so intent on burning all the evidence, they did not stop to think the evidence was fireproof.

: … Unless Bertrude doused every page in the stuff, from edge to edge, this would do nothing to stop the books from burning, though. You’d be left with a pile of ash and a puddle of fireproof ink. Unless Bertrude put some kind of anti-burning hex on the books or something.

: Alas, that they later found a way to burn thy Stamping-Press, regardless….

: Thy written words, they moved us many times. And many others whom we knew, there, in the Southern Bogs.

: I thought Bertrude can’t read. Or, maybe, she had someone read Volfred’s books to her, I guess.

: No matter, dear Bertrude…. What’s done is done. At least we made it difficult for them, is that not so? While introducing some of our fellow citizens to new ideas.

: Nnnrrggghhh… perhaps….

: My words would not have reached near half as many, were it not for you. Not to mention how I managed to elude them for another decade or so. I am ever thankful for your sacrifice.

: Thy thanks shall not be necessary, Sandalwood.

: Well, you shall have to take them from me, anyhow…. Thank you, Bertrude. For helping to fulfill a modest author’s dreams. What good’s a Stamping-Press without good inks…?

: …No good at all.




: Gotta hand it to Bertrude: it takes guts to just up and ask a question like that. Guts… or a lack of understanding about social cues, given that this question assumes Bertrude already knows the answer.

: Bertrude….

: Nay. We understand full well…. Thou needst not further explain thyself.

: …There are different kinds of love, Bertrude.

: On that account, thou hast nothing to teach us, Sandalwood.

: They each remain silent for a time.

: …Our hearts, they cannot be controlled, Bertrude. Blasted things they are, they act well on their own.

: He puts away his pipe.

: I am blessed to have you in my life. Back in the Commonwealth, and here, as well. I mean that… although, I know that it is not enough.

: At first, Bertrude does not seem to acknowledge this in any way, but then…

: …Nay, Sandalwood… it is enough…. It is enough.

: She departs without awaiting a response, brushing past you as she goes. Volfred soon turns away, as well, politely bidding you a good evening. The two old friends have evidently managed their way past certain tensions in their long-standing relationship. They rather seem to draw a certain strength from one another.



: Damn, that’s heavy stuff. Of all the characters to be so totally love-struck, it’s kind of surprising that it’s Bertrude. It’s kind of a shame to see someone go without reciprocation, particularly in this game, where lots of characters have motivations around loved ones.

: … Let’s read a book!


Gfy






: That conversation was a bit heavy-handed and long-winded than normal. Let’s get the show on the road; we have a whole new location to explore!



: Our location is north, through Flagging Hands, then halfway through the Sea of Solis and smack-dab in the middle of the Deathless Tempest. It’s not far from Jomuer Valley.

: That said, when we pass into Flagging Hands, we say hello to someone before I have the chance to even realize they’re there.



: Ye think, mayhaps, the sssskies belong to ye, hrrrrssssss…. Foolisssshhhh… the skies, and everything above them, and below, belong to the Astal-Born.

: Yeah, how’s that treating you, by the way? Still trying to decide whether you’d rather that Yslach is dead forever, or that he’s rejected you? ‘cause it’s definitely one or the other, after that last Rite, you know, where we invoked his name and you still couldn’t pull through.

: Ye shall be smitten from His skies, on His awakening! Now, BEGONE!!

: You have fun, Milly! If you want something badly enough, maybe it’ll come true some day!

: Our pass over Wyrm Gulf is completely uneventful, but when we pass into the Sea of Solis, we meet another friend who’d we’d love to say hello to.



: …You blasted fools… you cannot intimidate the Accusers.

: We shall face you soon enough in a forthcoming Rite, but first! We have another pack of fools whom we must vanquish, shortly! Until then, stay out of our way!

: Hmm… I’d like to make fun of Lendel and his triumvirate, but according to the ledger, the Accusers are actually tied with the Essence for the best win:loss ratio (excluding ourselves).

: Well, then, Lendel… I’ll be looking forward to our next match.



: Speaking of, it looks like Tamitha is about to face off against Sir Deluge. If I were to put money on this one…

: That’s a tough call, actually. Deluge can barely contain himself, much less his triumvirate, and Tamitha probably runs the tightest ship out of all the triumvirates, including the Nightwings. Which isn’t as much of a compliment as it sounds, but it does mean that she’d have an easier time managing herself and her troops than Deluge would. To say nothing of the fact that a bunch of birds are going up against a bunch of worms.

: However, Deluge has home-field advantage, and the weather is incredibly shitty. Tamitha would be going into the match at a huge disadvantage. This would be one of those matches that I’d love to sit down and watch, but, unfortunately, we have our own places to be.



: Passing into the Deathless Tempest, we are given our choice of landing spots, as well as a point of interest.

: Volfred joins you as you soar high above the storm-ravaged waters, on approach to the infamous Isle of Khaylmer.

: Among its cursed qualities, it seems this wretched storm means I cannot rightly smoke. One of the Downside’s small misfortunes, I suppose.

: The wagon’s drive-imps seem not to mind, at least. In fact… they seem more animated now even than usual, sir.

: Perhaps they feel some sort of connection to this place…. Tariq, do you suppose the Fate were able to make it here intact?

: They ought have seen it in the stars…. Though, we soon shall know for certain.

: That we shall. Take us in, please, Reader.

: … nothing about those superstitions about this place? Anything at all?




: Oh, interesting. Volfred wants to be considered this time for our landing options, so this isn’t as simple as who we used last.

: Hmm… well, while I’d like to give Volfred a fair shake at letting him choose our landing spot, I’m going to go with Mae for three reasons: the first is that, as ever, she has yet to steer me wrong when choosing a landing spot. She’s got a knack for knowing where to go.

: The second is that I’m more interested in buffs from the Scribes than I am in some Stardust. As useful as the stuff is, I haven’t really been putting it to much use lately, and if I ever want more, I can always buy it from Ron. And, finally, I’m more interested on landing on a beach than I am on landing on a ‘sturdy ice floe.’




: You wonder which sort of Celestial Landmark lies hidden amid these waters, though for now, you have some time left before continuing onward.



: Wow, already? Alright, then, let’s pay Sandra another visit, then.





: Sandra’s in a talkative mood again.

: Well. It just so happens that I’m in a listening one.

: …Why are you doing this…? Reaching out to me, again… like this? I have been abandoned in this blasted rock more times than you could count, Reader. And, each time, I have laughed it off. Like so!

: She laughs.

: I fear it will be different this time. Before, I knew that someone else would come around, and pick up where the previous idiot left off. But, now…?

: She scoffs, then falls silent for a time.

: Well, it seems there may not be a next time after this, if what I am to understand about the stars out there is even a half-truth.

: Wait, what?

: So, then, I can anticipate an eternity of utter solitude. Without even the blasted Rites to keep me company.

: Understand that, while I may be an apparition in a glass to you, I yet retain a shred of self, and do not happily foresee that outcome. And, yet… you keep on coming back to me, like this. If this is all in service of a torment, then you are most cruel, O lovely Reader. Commendably so, I have to say.

: So, then, am I to understand you wish to spend more time with me, thus? Knowing full well the stars are soon to put an end to this little affair?

: As if in answer to her question, you feel what seems to be the Beyonder Crystal itself.



: She understands correctly.



: You focus your mind, and remain where you are, there, with Sandra, in the confines of the Beyonder Crystal, and remain there with her for some time.

: No words need be exchanged between the two of you. And, in the darkness there, for once, she does not feel alone.

: Soon enough, however, she bids you to depart.

: …You shall leave those idiots of yours listless if you remain here for too long. Begone, already, and… let me know if you have need of me.



: Well, hey, now that you mention it!

: You need but ask, my Reader. And, you need but indicate who is to be my student.



: You ask Sandra to administer one of her special trials for Bertrude.

: The old bog-crone, then? She does have some potential, I should think, more so than most of those with whom you share that little residence. Then, let us bring her forth.

: Soon, Bertrude appears, in heed of the summons.

: We sense that thou hast need of us, nnrrrrgghh.

: You ‘sense’ it? The game just said that – oh, whatever.


Gfy



: The apparition Sandra appears, and unfastens her mask.

: Listen well, Crone. You answer to me here.

: Nrrrggghhh….

: How very eloquent. May your vast experience exceed your knack for pleasant conversation. I trust that you shall have little trouble here without the benefit of your more-communicative friends. Now, come.


: Simple – Gameplay



: Show us, then, what trinket she bestoweth upon us.




: This buff is a whole lot bigger than how it might seem on paper. Aura Blasts normally don’t travel through obstructions – and neither do regular Auras. With this Talisman, Bertrude can happily sit behind a wall and pluck away at her adversaries, and they will have absolutely no way to fight back. They’d either have to go around the obstruction or jump at her, and Bertrude’s Pounce is an extremely effective movement option to get away from any trouble like that – assuming her own Aura can’t just overpower anyone that tries to flank her.

: This Talisman kind of breaks Bertrude in our favour. There is literally no position Bertrude won’t excel at now: her huge Aura makes her good at defense; her sprinting-speed is the second-best in our triumvirate; she does the most damage per dunk; and now she can shoot through walls. She’s definitely a bit of a monster on the ballcourt, now.

: Damn. That was a pretty intense session, emotionally and otherwise, with Sandra and the Beyonders. You know what the best way to calm down after a rousing game of Sportsball is?


Gfy






: Something seems off about that statement. “Walk The Eight Scribes’ Path.” If this was their path, why didn’t we stop at this landmark when we first passed through via boat?

: You and Mae wander together for a while through the eerie stillness of Bard Reef, sometimes in circles. What, exactly, she is looking for, she cannot explain.

: Eventually, however, she happens on something that never caught your notice.

: Look at this? Look at this, Mister! The Scribes, they walked this very path, I think they did, and left this here, for us!!

: For us to find eight hundred years later? That’s some foresight for you right there.

: The object she procures does seem to emanate with some sort of faint and ancient power.



: Oh, neat. This is basically a second Vocation that I can use on something else if I want. That’s 2,000 EXP just sitting in my inventory, after all.



: Oh, huh. Must be Mae?



: At least she seems to be in a good mood.

: Mae seems to be speaking to herself again. She is unaware of your presence, or shows no sign of it, at least.

: Mercy…! Freedom…! They are intertwined…! Mercy shall engender union among all our different kind…. Mercy shall engender union among all our different kind.

: Uh… this is Mae we’re talking to, right?

: She is reciting passages from the Book of Rites… though, to your knowledge, she cannot read.

: …Freedom to the Worthy…. The Downside cannot let us all go free. Thus, freedom to the Worthy….



: She pauses for a while, as though listening, and nods her head from time to time.

: …Yes… I see, I see… I see. Well, I am ever-grateful to you, Saint Triesta, for your guidance and your presence. And, I wish all of your friends safe passage there among the stars! It must be so very beautiful out there!

: With your wings you can fly freely, can’t you, Saint? You can visit me at any time, come and go as you please, from the stars, all the way here?

: You do not need a pair of wings in order to be free! I know… I know…! And yet, sometimes, I wish I was like you, or like Miss Pamitha.



: She wanders out into the afternoon, leaving you there to consider her words. In the Commonwealth, her unwavering faith in the Eight Scribes would have been seen as a delusion. Such prayer or communion was forbidden. The Scribes were mythical figures; but even they worshiped the stars, and it was the stars that lighted the way for the founders of the Commonwealth. Or, so its leaders taught.



: Well.

: If it’s against the law to openly pray and worship the Scribes the way that Mae does, I can see how it might freak out the people in charge. Mae can clearly speak directly to them (or, at least, to one of them). Also, it seems kind of weird that everyone just accepts that the Scribes business is just a fairy tale or whatever, considering people are now coming back from Eternal Jail via waterfalls-that-fall-up. That should really be a faith-shaker right there, imo.



: Moving on, finally: we have a game of Sportsball to play against Dalbert. I hope he’s doing well, he’s a Cool Old Guy.



Gfy

: Or not.



Music: Surviving Exile

: You learn that Hedwyn returned safely to the Commonwealth, where he was clothed and welcomed, his past transgressions all forgiven. He was to be groomed for a leadership position of his choice, whether on the council or the Bloodborder, each equally lucrative, and secretive as well.

: However, he refused, and before the stunned council-members could do anything about it, he left them.

: He since made contact with Volfred’s agents, and is working together with them. Thus, the ranks of the revolution grow stronger. Per the messenger-imp custom, the last part of the message was transcribed from Hedwyn, word-for-word, and says, “Keep going. I’ll see you here.”

: You thank the messenger-imp for relaying this information. Soon, your companions are all abuzz about it.

: Wonder if he’ll ever find the one he fell for.

: (Ti’zo is happy to hear Hedwyn is well back in the Commonwealth.)

: A glorious example Hedwyn sets for all of us!

: Yeah, that’s how it’s done, Hedwyn!! Right behind you, chum!

: May that boy’s spirit infect the lot of ye as would a plague.

: … uh, yeah!

: I always thought Hedwyn was looking for someone, out there back home? Do you think he found her?

: The news of Hedwyn’s liberation fills you and your fellow exiles with newfound resolve.



: Well, that’s a nice bonus! Especially considering that we’ll probably be going into this next Rite with a handful of Titan Stars active, we could probably use all the bonuses we can get.

: Now let’s move on.



Gfy

: Your wagon shudders to a halt at the Isle of Khaylmer. Bizarre outcroppings give it a forbidding feel. In the distance, you hear odd gibbering noises that sound like… drive-imps…



: We could read the Book of Rites some more, but I think we’ve done enough reading for one update for now. Let’s just see what Ron’s got in store.



: That explains a lot.

: Got you again! Only joking about that, too, uh!! Because, I got tons of customers, it’s just, they already bought a lot of stuff today, so they’re not here, OK? Anyways, I just got in a little something here which maybe you’ll be into? Been hearing about these little numbers for a while, check ‘em out!



: Thinkin’ these thingers are supposed to be for a couple of love-birds, know what I mean, heh-heh? But anybody could probably use ‘em, provided they was to buy ‘em off of me!

: …duhhh, I was gonna get ‘em for myself, but…. Anyways, lemme know if you want ‘em!



: Both of these bands increase the Presence, Hope, and Quickness of anyone that wears them by two. For a single Talisman, that’s not a bad bonus at all, and they can both be boosted with Stardust.

: But the gimmick here is that, if two companions wear the bands in a single Rite, then, at the start of every round, both companions gets infinite stamina for a brief moment. Combined, these bands can make any two players on our team a powerhouse, allowing us to begin the round very oppressively.

: However… they cost 88 Sol each. I have 175. We’re short by one, and that’s even if I wanted them.

: I mean, I kinda do, but that’s just a little rich for my blood. Better than some other Talismans Ron’s got for sale, but worse than some others.

: That said, I don’t want to leave empty-handed.



: Someday I’m going to find the right Talismans to blow all these Stardusts on.



: I couldn’t find the smiley I wanted to use, so have this one instead:



: Let’s get it on, Dalbert. Here’s to a good match with a good man.

: As the sky begins to darken over the Isle of Khaylmer, you see one of your adversaries clad in the colors of the Fate step forward.

: …Where is Mae?

: Oooooohhh.



: Oh! Hi, Almer, hello!

: Father asked me to… salute you, and the Nightwings. So, here I am, then.

: Consider yourselves saluted!

: Oh…! OK, and, um, may the Scribes watch over you and Mister Oldheart.

: They shall do no such thing. Know that I am only doing this to ease Father’s worries, such as I can. But when night falls, you are all my adversaries, nothing more.

: He walks away, even as the darkness grows, and the stars begin to shine.




: To recap, the stars we currently have with us are Yslach the Astral-Born (the AI gets a non-specific buff to their movement, making them more intense to fight against); Lord Gandroth (all opponents get a +8 bonus to Presence); Archbeast Sung-Gries (at the beginning of the Rite, my adversary’s Pyre begins with +30 Pyrepoints); Endriga The Widow (likewise, I begin the Rite with -30 Pyrepoints); Limbless Azirech (my opponents get +8 Hope); and Unfathomed Plurnes (my opponents get +8 Quickness). All of them combined give me a bonus 25% Enlightenment at the end of the Rite.

: We’ll see what we’re working with.




: The Isle of Khaylmer is a unique Celestial Landmark: it’s groomed and presented to be like an actual Sportsball field. But there’s a twist: as you can see, the imps aren’t quite content with just sitting on the sidelines and watch (although most are, as you’ll see in the match). Six of them are also field hazards.

: It’ll be an interesting match, for sure!



: Father!! I said no such thing!

: But, as we all know each other well, now, I suggest that we dispense with further interactions for the time. We must not let our hearts take sway, when we are here to honor the Scribes!

: Mae listens intently to all this, then…

: …Oh… you are right, Mister Oldheart. I never thought of it that way, but, you are right.

: Almer…? When all of this is over, someday not too long from now, and the Scribes are satisfied that we have served them well… then, will you be my friend…?

: …I don’t know.

: OK! I know you mean that, too! Until then, may the Scribes protect us all!

: …May the Scribes protect us all.



: I’m back, sorry I’m late, sorry I’m late!! I’m ready now, to do my part, however I can?



: Okay, finally! We’re ready to begin the next Rite against Dalbert and the Fate, here in the Isle of Khaylmer. It’s going to be a tough match, especially with all these Titan Stars, but, we’re not going in with Frozen Souls or whatever, and the hardest hitter on the Fate right now is Almer, at 20 points per dunk. I can probably work with that.

: Who are we going to bring into this match? Our available options are Rukey, Mae, Ti’zo, Sir Gilman, Pamitha, and Bertrude. Three votes per ballot, and remember, the order you cast them in is important!

: Twenty-four hours, as per usual. See you then!