Tales From the Shadows Updated (SPOILERS ABOUND)

I have so many feelings. This was perfect.

However, some curious differences between the German and English version...

- In German, Emet does not do some kind of face palm he does in the english version, but is described as having his mask appear on his face without him willing it (implying it was absent before?)
- The english version speaks of islanders, while the german version refers to those living on the island as 'mortals'
- Might be because the English one is a reference to The Tempest, but the last part of the story has Emet snap one more time
- While in English Emet claims that Lahabrea reminds him of his creations, in German he claims that Elidibus reminds him of Lahabrea's creations

Edit, another one

English Emet claims a hero is no match for Elidibus. German Emet says if they are a true hero they shouldn't be Elidibus' enemy, almost as if hinting at... likemindedness?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RicaRuin

I have so many feelings. This was perfect.

However, some curious differences between the German and English version...

- In German, Emet does not do some kind of face palm he does in the english version, but is described as having his mask appear on his face without him willing it (implying it was absent before?)
- The english version speaks of islanders, while the german version refers to those living on the island as 'mortals'
- Might be because the English one is a reference to The Tempest, but the last part of the story has Emet snap one more time
- While in English Emet claims that Lahabrea reminds him of his creations, in German he claims that Elidibus reminds him of Lahabrea's creations

---

I am curious to know how the German version (and others) defines the 'new life'. Does it also specifically call them 'new souls'?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MrThinker

I am curious to know how the German version (and others) defines the 'new life'. Does it also specifically call them 'new souls'?

---

'Neu sprießendes Leben'... so something akin to newly blooming life. No reference to souls.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RicaRuin

'Neu sprießendes Leben'... so something akin to newly blooming life. No reference to souls.

---

Ahhh, it remains so vague. Fernwhales just give us the answer, was it baby Ancients or baby mortals?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RicaRuin

I have so many feelings. This was perfect.

However, some curious differences between the German and English version...

- Might be because the English one is a reference to The Tempest, but the last part of the story has Emet snap one more time

---

Well, that looks like it's pretty good evidence for it really being Hades that we summoned to come to get us out of the Rift....

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ObsidianFire

Well, that looks like it's pretty good evidence for it really being Hades that we summoned to come to get us out of the Rift....

---

As opposed to some kind of false version, you mean? Between the finger-snap and the wave, there wasn't much question that it was him.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MrThinker

I am curious to know how the German version (and others) defines the 'new life'. Does it also specifically call them 'new souls'?

---

French has "nous souhaitions faire offrande de vies nouvelles à notre sauveur". Translates as "we wished to make an offer of new lives to our savior".

Emet also refers to the likeness between Elidibus and Lahabrea's creations in French.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Alenore

French has "nous souhaitions faire offrande de vies nouvelles à notre sauveur". Translates as "we wished to make an offer of new lives to our savior".

Emet also refers to the likeness between Elidibus and Lahabrea's creations in French.

---

To expand on the French differences:

- Like in german, Emet's mask suddenly appear on his face
- The people living on the island are called "natives" which seems to imply they are
at least less advanced than the people of Amaurot.
- Emet also say that since we are a hero we shouldn't be Elidibus' enemy.
- The new lives are also called "ces jeunes pousses" meaning "those young sprouts"
- Also Elidibus is described as a young man with a small height so while he may have not be an actual child, he was still younger than the rest of the convocation.

Also did anyone get any Pompeii vibes from the first part ? I mean a village near the sea surrounded by wine cultures frightened by a volcano...

A few thoughts:

- I think this is the first time that a Tale has been narrated in the first person? I guess it's necessary to work with the closing soliloquy.

- Elidibus is a "youth" or "young man" but he is not a child. (You could easily have a story with, say, G'raha or Alphinaud described in the same terms and we'd think nothing of it.) He's old enough to be tactful and eloquent, at least.

- It sounds like Emet was free to simply "let go" (implied: and surrender to the Lifestream?) at any point.

- An odd line about Lahabrea "needlessly prolonging" the Seventh Calamity - isn't that their whole job? I thought they were trying to get an Eighth started.

- The parallels to Prospero were there to be made, and I had intended to post about it in another recent thread lately so it was on my mind... and then they went there completely with his closing speech. I'm not normally much good on Shakespeare references but I'd read up on The Tempest somewhat, and I like this haunting sung version of Prospero's speech, so those lyrics in particular are etched in my mind and it was a jolt to find them here.

- Are we intended to take it from Hades' speech that he's truly gone now that he's had his encore? Or is he still just waiting in the wings (or trying to sleep until we call him again)?

- That one interrupting non-rhyme irks me, not so much because it doesn't rhyme as that I feel like you should be able to think of what the rhyme would be if it wasn't interrupted. If that makes sense.

- I am now picturing Azem making regular flippant excuses to the Convocation as to why Such-and-such Town absolutely had to be saved from peril.
"There's a fantastic lookout here, I couldn't let it get destroyed in that landslide."
"It's such a marvellous spot for a picnic and that rampaging monster was spoiling the mood."

A World Forsaken can be seen as "First Person" due to it being a data log of OMG.

Wouldn't put it past Lahabrea creating that rampaging monster...

Ah yeah, I forgot about OMG.

Anyway, my bet for next week's final tale is that we get something either directly from or alongside G'raha's story. I hope so anyway. I think something with Lyna would be my preference.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Iscah

- It sounds like Emet was free to simply "let go" (implied: and surrender to the Lifestream?) at any point.

---

I got the impression that he could simply "let go" of his Ascian-ness and render himself mortal. Just live out his life as Solus (or whoever) and return to the lifestream upon death as mortals do.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Iscah

- An odd line about Lahabrea "needlessly prolonging" the Seventh Calamity - isn't that their whole job? I thought they were trying to get an Eighth started.

---

The seventh calamity was completed, and Emet had already laid the groundwork for getting the eighth started. Emet seems to think that Lahabrea was, to be blunt, acting like a dick just for the sake of it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Iscah

- I am now picturing Azem making regular flippant excuses to the Convocation as to why Such-and-such Town absolutely had to be saved from peril.
"There's a fantastic lookout here, I couldn't let it get destroyed in that landslide."
"It's such a marvellous spot for a picnic and that rampaging monster was spoiling the mood."

---

I'm picturing Azem coming up with lame excuses to save (what I at least am assuming were) mortals ever since Zodiark seeded the world with them, much to the annoyance of the society that's currently debating whether to kill them all off.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jandor

I'm picturing Azem coming up with lame excuses to save (what I at least am assuming were) mortals ever since Zodiark seeded the world with them, much to the annoyance of the society that's currently debating whether to kill them all off.

---

Azem: You never know their pancakes could be to die for

Convocation: *facepalms*

Azem: fine.. they make better wine than even that one island..

Emet:... Azem... we had this talk about priorities....

Azem: *pouts* They make the best cotton?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Iscah

- Are we intended to take it from Hades' speech that he's truly gone now that he's had his encore? Or is he still just waiting in the wings (or trying to sleep until we call him again)?

---

From the world of arts' perspective, an encore is demanded by the audience when they enjoyed the performance so the show keeps going on. Hades' speech is pretty much directed at /us/, the players, basically saying, "since you wanted for me something more than my closure (death) I will not let the curtan completely fall, and if you desire so, I will take the stage for an encore". How can we do that? Azem's crystal. That is his final word: "encore". His part is over, but through the crystal we can call upon his aid. Of course Hades would weave a poem for his "exit, stage left", the drama nerd he is. This is amusing and badass both: he is composing his very own elegy, only to say "it is not entirely over". See: "(Ere The Curtain Falls) I bid the curtain—pause."

Besides Emet's poem, having this story told by him, in first person, it is absolutely beautiful. Up until now we relied on interpretation of his character, and having this peek into the truth of his heart and mind was all I wanted and more. Reading him say that Elidibus was like a younger brother for all the Convocation warmed my heart. And I had a good laugh at Azem planning to do an Eden with Hythlodaeus' complicity only because "the grapes there are great". Elidibus musing aloud about Azem's "refreshing perspective" and Emet being utterly exasperated and resigned at their antics was perfect.

In short: I am dying. I have feelings. This is more than I dared to ask for. And I am beyond grateful for it. <3

Wow I didn't think I'd guess semi correctly on what the story would show snipits of.

So, even if he wasn't exactly a child he was still the youngest and maybe not even full height. I get that it makes sense why they chose him partly for how he was and partly because of his office. When you're the one that's deemed the best to set the plant down the "correct" path why wouldn't people want to make you the heart of the thing that's supposed to save your butts.

Also our past selves are such dorks. Could you imagine us asking permission to use something to save a really cute kitten? And the rest collectively facepalming?

How did we not become excommunicated or kicked out of our office before now if this was a possible 2nd time we could get censured?

It seems he started to lose his memories some time around the sundering. He really should have occasionally looked at his crystals. Just as a reminder. I think if he had done so he might have been reached and yet what did end up happening was probably for the best.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Iscah

- An odd line about Lahabrea "needlessly prolonging" the Seventh Calamity - isn't that their whole job? I thought they were trying to get an Eighth started.

---

I think this might be point to something Elidibus said when he mentioned why he originally approached us at the waking sands about how the Seventh Calamity had pushed the realm too much towards darkness and certain events could potentially push it over the brink. After the Calamity happens, keeping it going probably doesn't actually do much once the Rejoining occurs, it sounds like Lahabrea may have been getting carried away in his general madness.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ShadowMeowth

From the world of arts' perspective, an encore is demanded by the audience when they enjoyed the performance so the show keeps going on. Hades' speech is pretty much directed at /us/, the players, basically saying, "since you wanted for me something more than my closure (death) I will not let the curtan completely fall, and if you desire so, I will take the stage for an encore". How can we do that? Azem's crystal. That is his final word: "encore". His part is over, but through the crystal we can call upon his aid. Of course Hades would weave a poem for his "exit, stage left", the drama nerd he is. This is amusing and badass both: he is composing his very own elegy, only to say "it is not entirely over". See: "(Ere The Curtain Falls) I bid the curtain—pause."

---

Well yeah, I know what an encore is - and it's pretty clearly referring to his reappearance in 5.3.

So he's had his encore already, and is that supposed to mean we won't be seeing him another time from here on?

Oh wow, so Elidibus really was a kid. I had assumed him being small in the 5.3 cutscene was a metaphor to show him being small and alone, since his voice was still a grown man's.

I'm not really content with the kid claims. Young adult with an unusual small body, as described. The words used in the different languages (mostly young man) aren't terms to describe kids, but rather the age range from around 18 to mid-twenty or slightly older.

Yeah on a second read, you're right.

Though at the least him being young adds a nice new layer to him saving Unukalhai.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Iscah

Well yeah, I know what an encore is - and it's pretty clearly referring to his reappearance in 5.3.

So he's had his encore already, and is that supposed to mean we won't be seeing him another time from here on?

---

(I merely wanted to expose the whole thread of reasoning, forgive me if I came across as patronizing, it was not my intention.) ;;

My guess is that the purpose of Azem's crystal is, as Hyth says, "summon the stars to our side in times of greatest need". This, coupled with the implication Emet voices in the poem, means that if the audience wills so, he would gift us an encore. To wit, it is up to us to call upon him and let the show go on, even if it is the way encores work: snippets of the show.

Whatever the case, Emet makes it clear that /he/ is the one who will take the stage, so if there was any doubt left about if it was a shade or a memory of Hades what saved us, I think it is confirmed now that it was Hades himself who did it. He speaks of his death as a time to drift and dream of the past lost and the future to come, so I also believe that yes, he is indeed napping in the Lifestream and just like Elidibus interrupted his (intended) nap for a century or so, we can do the same. Which is heartwarming and amusing both, that Hades is willing to grant us an encore even if it means we wake him up from his nap. xD

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Draginhikari

I think this might be point to something Elidibus said when he mentioned why he originally approached us at the waking sands about how the Seventh Calamity had pushed the realm too much towards darkness and certain events could potentially push it over the brink. After the Calamity happens, keeping it going probably doesn't actually do much once the Rejoining occurs, it sounds like Lahabrea may have been getting carried away in his general madness.

---

With this in mind, Lahabrea (and his companion/teammate Nabriales) keep the pressure on the Source with primal summonings throughout 2.1-2.4. Nabriales questions Elidibus's presence and actions at the end of (from memory) 2.1, so I think this might be a reference to this thread.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lieha

To expand on the French differences:

- Like in german, Emet's mask suddenly appear on his face
- The people living on the island are called "natives" which seems to imply they are
at least less advanced than the people of Amaurot.
- Emet also say that since we are a hero we shouldn't be Elidibus' enemy.
- The new lives are also called "ces jeunes pousses" meaning "those young sprouts"
- Also Elidibus is described as a young man with a small height so while he may have not be an actual child, he was still younger than the rest of the convocation.

Also did anyone get any Pompeii vibes from the first part ? I mean a village near the sea surrounded by wine cultures frightened by a volcano...

---

It should give you a different vibe. What island do we currently have in game that has a volcano and grape vines? La Noscea. Everything is starting to come full circle.

Because that means we created the hollowed out caves that the Kobolds now call home when we stopped the lava flow, and we essentially did the first summoning of Ifrit/Ifreeta. We ironically have been dealing with the side effects of our own past adventures so many millenia later.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RyuDragnier

It should give you a different vibe. What island do we currently have in game that has a volcano and grape vines? La Noscea. Everything is starting to come full circle.

Because that means we created the hollowed out caves that the Kobolds now call home when we stopped the lava flow, we essentially did the first summoning of Ifrit/Ifreeta, and that primals were always this dangerous, even back then if we had to lead it elsewhere and take it out away from the people.

---

I don't think there's any correlation between the

geography of the Source/Shards as they are now and the geography of the original Star (remember, the ruins of Amaurot are well under the ocean a fair but indetermined distance away offshore from Kohlusia's coastline, so there has definetely been some continental changes to the world as a result of the Terminus and the Sundering (also, some of the Ancients ruins in The Tempest are encased in rock, suggesting the planet's crust underwent some major geographical upheaval after the Terminus).

Also, the story states the island with the volcano Azem went to was "isolated", suggesting it was not near Amaurot at least, possibly on the other side of the world, so it kind of makes that theory less likely, as nice as it was.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RyuDragnier

It should give you a different vibe. What island do we currently have in game that has a volcano and grape vines? La Noscea. Everything is starting to come full circle.

Because that means we created the hollowed out caves that the Kobolds now call home when we stopped the lava flow, and we essentially did the first summoning of Ifrit/Ifreeta. We ironically have been dealing with the side effects of our own past adventures so many millenia later.

---

Kholusia, too, has Mt. Gulg and a tradition of farming and harvesting in Wright, which happens to produce a very valued and high-quality mead; not wine, but close. And it is the First version of Vylbrand. So I would say yes, it is proto-La Noscea-Kholusia they are referring to.

Also still cackling at the fact that Azem's plan essentially is what we are doing with Eden: summon the thing, destroy it, scatter its aether. Which by association Hyth would be Urianger and his encouragement about summoning primals For Science™️ and Emet would be Thancred and his "did-you-just-suggest-we-summon-two-primals-at-once" stance. Double funny because if Thancred knew he was not so different from Emet his brain would enter Blue Screen of Death mode.

Oh gosh, this is the story I was dying for post 5.3~

I love that this confirms the Hythlodeus/Hades/Azem friendship trio. That Azem got written up for running off to do their own thing without being given the ok from the rest of the convocation is hilarious.

The ending poem is nice. Hades bidding the curtain from dropping fully for encores... He is easily my fav character this game has had, so Im hoping for more dramatic cameos from our olde theater nerd friend :o

A note from my FCmate-
in JP it describes Elidibus as 小柄な青年. So, kinda a fresh faced young man vs. a child. They said to think along the lines of a youth just entering the professional workforce. When I think about it choosing him as the heart makes sense - a starry eyed jr team member (that fell for an older members white lies lol) would totally be the one to offer himself up for sacrifice.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rokke

A note from my FCmate-
in JP it describes Elidibus as 小柄な青年. So, kinda a fresh faced young man vs. a child. They said to think along the lines of a youth just entering the professional workforce. When I think about it choosing him as the heart makes sense - a starry eyed jr team member (that fell for an older members white lies lol) would totally be the one to offer himself up for sacrifice.

---

Pretty much this. While "seinen" in the most literal sense concerns an age range of 18-25, in practice it's mostly used for people in their 20s. That, and Elidibus is mentioned to already have had his very much adult voice back in Amaurot, plus him returning to his human appearance is refered to as a "man", so he was absolutely a young adult and most likely in his 20s (in current human comparison).

But yes, he was short.

This makes me wonder what happens when an unsundered soul reincarnates from the life stream. Is there going to be another fully-abled-ancient child born at some point in the future? Do souls get sundered as they filter through the aetherial sea?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Iscah

Well yeah, I know what an encore is - and it's pretty clearly referring to his reappearance in 5.3.

So he's had his encore already, and is that supposed to mean we won't be seeing him another time from here on?

---

Yes, I think this is his final farewell. His poem quotes Prospero's epilogue soliloquy from The Tempest:

Quote:

---

Now my charms are all o'erthrown,
And what strength I have’s mine own,
Which is most faint. Now, ’tis true,
I must be here confined by you,
Or sent to Naples. Let me not,
Since I have my dukedom got
And pardoned the deceiver, dwell
In this bare island by your spell,
But release me from my bands
With the help of your good hands.
Gentle breath of yours my sails
Must fill, or else my project fails,
Which was to please. Now I want
Spirits to enforce, art to enchant,
And my ending is despair,
Unless I be relieved by prayer,
Which pierces so that it assaults
Mercy itself and frees all faults.
As you from crimes would pardoned be,
Let your indulgence set me free.

---

Prospero asks the audience to set him free with applause since he's done with his entertainment. This soliloquy has also been interpreted as being Shakespeare's farewell from the stage. The Tempest is believed to be the last play he wrote before his death. Now, whether Emet-Selch comes back in memories and things is another story... :P

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Snugglez

This makes me wonder what happens when an unsundered soul reincarnates from the life stream.

---

Do they return to the reincarnation cycle? I thought the point was that an Ascian's soul had to be destroyed, otherwise they just retreat/be forced back to the rift and come back later.

On another note, I just got stuck with the mental image of Lahabrea finding out later that Azem took his concept without permission and reacting EXACTLY like Ross from Friends with the sandwich and now I have got a laughing fit for like ten minutes straight.

Quote:

---

"You— You— You summoned MY concept and destroyed it?! My concept?! /MY/ CONCEPT??!!?!?!!!"

---

The Convocation of Fourteen + Hyth was a sitcom and I am all over it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JeanneOrnitier

Yeah on a second read, you're right.

Though at the least him being young adds a nice new layer to him saving Unukalhai.

---

Honestly I think the difference would best be described like anime characters.

Elidibus being like "Inu Yasha" where you have a boyish looking teen early adult. The other ancients are more like older adults or "Sesshomaru"

People are thinking kids like little kids and he is obviously not but short frame like that still doesn't really put him in "Grown up" category.

Usually its that age in so many anime shows where the Fate of the World is in that Protagonist (Inu Yasha type) hands


I am curious as to how he was described in Japanese vs English when he re-appeared from Zodiark since Emet referred to the instance as "shape of a man" which could imply a different stature than the Elidibus he has known

Side thought since Elidibus is technically a piece of himself would "Snack sized souls" also be more prone to memory deterioration which is why the newly minted souls deemedc inferrior. Basically side effect/consequence of a smaller "carbon footprint".

Another note: appears there is one more story due on the 17th. Lowkey hoping it would be some insight on Zenos/Fandaniel not because I find Zenos particularly exciting currently but would lend something exciting on both of those characters.

I love this. I love everything about it.

I love how Azem and Hythlodeus are 'partners in crime,' and Emet is the sensible friend who tries (probably often in vain) to keep them out of trouble.

I love the obvious concern Emet has for his dearest friend's (and significant other, in my personal headcanon) safety as they charge headlong into obvious danger.

I love that Azem is a sarcastic, snarky little sh*t, who cares more for helping people than what a bunch of hoity-toities think of them.

This was everything I wanted. :o

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Brightamethyst

Do they return to the reincarnation cycle? I thought the point was that an Ascian's soul had to be destroyed, otherwise they just retreat/be forced back to the rift and come back later.

---

iirc, JP explanation was we destroy their aether which is what usually protects them from the pull of aethersea/lifestream, while EN says we destroy them. I'd have to ask my friend to go through old cutscenes to be sure.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Iscah

So he's had his encore already, and is that supposed to mean we won't be seeing him another time from here on?

---

I interpreted this as him officially ending his role, resigning to let us carry on the story while he gets to finally rest. If he gets dragged back on the "stage" later, it wouldn't be by his doing :P

late edit, but now I've seen the translated poem portion of the JP story-
Emet himself says he's drifting to the underworld (aethersea).

paraphrasing the last bit (way too much to type on my phone, sorry!) :
"My aether is drawn to the underworld, as I have seen so many times before
In that, I think of the storied past and the future
The ending is out of my hands now, but actors remain on stage
Then I just need a little more, it is not time for the curtains to fall yet

My hands can no longer hold form, but I can snap a finger
Behold: the epilogue of the story"

So JP version makes it seem Emet is in the lifestream and is being broken down for reincarnation. His part in the SoS trial was a last big use of what power he had left. So no more free get out of jail mcguffins from him, he's just sleeping until "he" fades away.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Geriel

I love this. I love everything about it.

I love how Azem and Hythlodeus are 'partners in crime,' and Emet is the sensible friend who tries (probably often in vain) to keep them out of trouble.

I love the obvious concern Emet has for his dearest friend's (and significant other, in my personal headcanon) safety as they change headlong into obvious danger.

I love that Azem is a sarcastic, snarky little sh*t, who cares more for helping people than what a bunch of hoity-toities think of them.

This was everything I wanted. :o

---

Perhaps the stopping of such an event led to an enervation of Azem by these people that passed on through the ages? One of many deeds. I couldn’t help but feel the whole thing about the grapes was a taste of Azem’s sarcastic snark. They obviously don’t want to just stand by while these people’s homes and everything they hold dear is destroyed.

Convocation: “Azem, why do you feel the need to halt the natural order of things and stop this volcano?”

Azem: *eyeroll* “...I like grapes.”

I don't usually read these but this one piqued my interest. Insight into how Amaurot functioned is nice, and it sounds like the Sharlayan Forum bears conspicuous similarities to the Convocation (with Azem and Louisoix being mavericks among their peers).

... and really, given the some of the PC's dialogue responses and how you can have them wearing ridiculous outfits in serious situations, it's no surprise their past self was a flippant heroic figure more concerned with doing good than obeying orders.

Alisae: "[PC], you can't negotiate with the Emperor of Garlemald wearing naught but a swimsuit!"
[PC]: "The hells I can't! Besides, it'll catch him off-balance and distract him!"
Alisae: *facepalms*

... and...

"Know that I'll kill your god if I have to. Maybe even if I don't." vs. "Um... kupo?"

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rokke

iirc, JP explanation was we destroy their aether which is what usually protects them from the pull of aethersea/lifestream, while EN says we destroy them. I'd have to ask my friend to go through old cutscenes to be sure.

---

To be entirely fair, we have never laid low an Unsundered with white auracite. Nabriales and Igeyorhm were both sundered. Lahabrea got blasted by a Blade of Light of sorts (again) by King Thordan and that destroys his physical vessel, but his actual /soul/ is eaten by the primal. With Emet, the white auracite is used not to contain him, but to bind him and give us time to use the Axe of Light™️. If it was made of enough Light to banish night from a world's sky I can see that actually shattering this protection against the pull of the Lifestream upon physical death, but then again, we have to take into account that Hades has a natural affinity with the Lifestream considered extraordinary even among the Ancients. Perhaps he no longer can reincarnate the way we know Ascians do, but he has not surrendered to the Lifestream's pull entirely either. The way he speaks of his death to dream of things long lost and futures yet to be won makes me believe he is drifting in some sort of sleep (the night, the sunless sea of heaven) but until those who take the stage now prove our worth he will be keeping an eye. I would not blame him, to be honest. Once he is sure the world is in good hands, perhaps he will truly "let go". That does not mean he does not trust us, I think it is obvious he believes we can do it, but Emet is a world-weary realist. And it would be not out of character for him to give a push every now and then to help us in saving the world and the people; that is precisely what he used to do for Azem by interceding on their behalf whenever they ran off to do things their way, after all. :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ShadowMeowth

To be entirely fair, we have never laid low an Unsundered with white auracite. Nabriales and Igeyorhm were both sundered. Lahabrea got blasted by a Blade of Light of sorts (again) by King Thordan and that destroys his physical vessel, but his actual /soul/ is eaten by the primal. With Emet, the white auracite is used not to contain him, but to bind him and give us time to use the Axe of Light™️. If it was made of enough Light to banish night from a world's sky I can see that actually shattering this protection against the pull of the Lifestream upon physical death, but then again, we have to take into account that Hades has a natural affinity with the Lifestream considered extraordinary even among the Ancients. Perhaps he no longer can reincarnate the way we know Ascians do, but he has not surrendered to the Lifestream's pull entirely either. The way he speaks of his death to dream of things long lost and futures yet to be won makes me believe he is drifting in some sort of sleep (the night, the sunless sea of heaven) but until those who take the stage now prove our worth he will be keeping an eye. I would not blame him, to be honest. Once he is sure the world is in good hands, perhaps he will truly "let go". That does not mean he does not trust us, I think it is obvious he believes we can do it, but Emet is a world-weary realist. And it would be not out of character for him to give a push every now and then to help us in saving the world and the people; that is precisely what he used to do for Azem by interceding on their behalf whenever they ran off to do things their way, after all. :)

---

I was typing on my phone before I saw this reply whoops

The JP version of the story does not have the Tempest inspired poem, it just has Hades talking to himself as he is pulled into the lifestream. He doesn't mention being sundered, but it does sound like he's going to fade away (eventually).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rokke

Emet himself says he's drifting to the underworld (aethersea).

paraphrasing the last bit (way too much to type on my phone, sorry!) :
"My aether is drawn to the underworld, as I have seen so many times before
In that, I think of the storied past and the future
The ending is out of my hands now, but actors remain on stage
Then I just need a little more, it is not time for the curtains to fall yet

My hands can no longer hold form, but I can snap a finger
Behold: the epilogue of the story"

So JP version makes it seem Emet is in the lifestream and is being broken down for reincarnation. His part in the SoS trial was a last big use of what power he had left. So no more free get out of jail mcguffins from him, he's just sleeping until "he" fades away.

---

The white day blog entry had Hythlodeus mention Hades being in the underworld as well, though I'm not sure how canon the little holiday stories are meant to be. Personally, even if this is his final note in the story, I like that he at least is in the lifestream rather than gone forever :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rokke

late edit, but now I've seen the translated poem portion of the JP story-
Emet himself says he's drifting to the underworld (aethersea).

paraphrasing the last bit (way too much to type on my phone, sorry!) :
"My aether is drawn to the underworld, as I have seen so many times before
In that, I think of the storied past and the future
The ending is out of my hands now, but actors remain on stage
Then I just need a little more, it is not time for the curtains to fall yet

My hands can no longer hold form, but I can snap a finger
Behold: the epilogue of the story"

So JP version makes it seem Emet is in the lifestream and is being broken down for reincarnation. His part in the SoS trial was a last big use of what power he had left. So no more free get out of jail mcguffins from him, he's just sleeping until "he" fades away.

---

I would be fine with this because it is true that Emet's role is over, and he himself had this thought of drifting and letting go of everything, which it is not surprising coming from someone that has lived more than 12000 years. But Azem's crystal is made to "summon the stars" so I would not rule the possibility entirely out. As long as he is not yet entirely gone, who knows? I think the point of the English version is that we, the audience, have the choice in our hands. Then again, interpretation is a fickle thing, and as I always say, only the mind behind the work knows exactly what they wanted to convey. Whatever the case, there is this saying... "People only truly die when they are forgotten." Emet will "live" (in a sense) for as long as we remember him. If not him in person as he did in SoS, his presence is definitely going to be there from now on. If we go into Garlemald that was an empire he built. If we find more Allagan ruins he had a hand in building Allag. Welp, simply keeping Azem's crystal is a way to have him with us, even if it is in spirit. :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ShadowMeowth

I would be fine with this because it is true that Emet's role is over, and he himself had this thought of drifting and letting go of everything, which it is not surprising coming from someone that has lived more than 12000 years. But Azem's crystal is made to "summon the stars" so I would not rule the possibility entirely out. As long as he is not yet entirely gone, who knows? I think the point of the English version is that we, the audience, have the choice in our hands. Then again, interpretation is a fickle thing, and as I always say, only the mind behind the work knows exactly what they wanted to convey. Whatever the case, there is this saying... "People only truly die when they are forgotten." Emet will "live" (in a sense) for as long as we remember him. If not him in person as he did in SoS, his presence is definitely going to be there from now on. If we go into Garlemald that was an empire he built. If we find more Allagan ruins he had a hand in building Allag. Welp, simply keeping Azem's crystal is a way to have him with us, even if it is in spirit.

---

We kept missing each other haha

I'd be happy with any future appearances of him, even if its just a voice from beyond. Flashbacks would be just as cool too! Even excluding his crystal for us, he's had a hand in so many things that are relevant in the present day theres lots of opportunities to still feel his presence.

Like I said before, if this is to be his last note, a bittersweet end is easier to swallow than a purely sad one...and it makes me want a minion even more ;w;