Tales From the Shadows Updated (SPOILERS ABOUND)

[Iscah]

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.

[Jandor]

- 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.

- 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.

- 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.

[Rannie]

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?

[ShadowMeowth]

- 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

[SannaR]

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.

[Draginhikari]

- 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.

[Iscah]

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?

[JeanneOrnitier]

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.

[RicaRuin]

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.

[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.