Ep.20: Newlyweds & Newborns | Roundtable Hold
Added 2024-07-14 09:00:06 +0000 UTCWelcome to the Roundtable everyone!
On this episode we'll be...
Tackling recent revelations regarding our new wife, Lunar Princess Ranni
Taking a look at unused animations which would've resulted in a very different Astel fight
Trying to understand the lifecycle of a Naturalborn and speculating on how they've developed in the Lands Between
Things are getting weirder and weirder in our playthrough with the emergence of full-grown space creatures. So join us as we try to unpack it more on Roundtable Hold.
Enjoy, slugs!
RKG x
Comments
I saw a very cool theory about the D twins. That when this D is speaking over Fia he is an a pose that no other NPC does and it looks like the silver part I'd the armour is the one standing and taking control.
Dean Brown
2024-07-21 11:58:36 +0000 UTCTLDR: In Ainsel, Ranni's depressed and mad that you simply won't let her do a grand lonely sacrifice for the good of the world. My read on Ranni's tone shift in Ainsel is based on practically nothing but vibes; though, vibes derived from the wonderful acting of the performer behind Ranni with context from her greater arc. In short: I think Ranni's more than a little depressed, and in Ainsel is in the act of distancing herself from her friends, the few people she cares about, to go on the last perhaps most dangerous leg of this journey on her own. We (Auntie Finchy) interrupt that selfish/selfless act by finding her—and she's miffed. How dare you—essentially an independent contractor I hired to support my small team— interrupt my selfless, depressive-lonely-romantic sacrifice! I and I alone will overturn the world and "betray all that came before." No one else could do it (and no one else would choose to). "Fine...FINE." The change seems sudden, but as I mentioned I think this explanation fits into her larger character arc. Ranni's inhabiting a doll because at one point, for some reason, she tried to either kill or destroy herself, seemingly without knowledge that Godwyn would die at the same moment and leave part of her, her soul. alive. If he hadn't died, then Ranni would probably be "all dead" rather than "mostly dead." Perhaps in the aftermath of that terrible event she decides to try another, somewhat more constructive path. Ranni has also always kept her friends at a remove. Iji describes Ranni's "dark path of the Empyrean" as one she must embark on alone, when clearly that's not the case. Auntie Finchy finds her, and journies with her (to Ranni's clear dismay). But Iji would never leave Ranni unless he thought he absolutely had to; I believe she convinced him that she had to go alone. Moreover, in Ainsel, when "this form hath loosened [her] tongue," she describes lovingly but sadly the kind hearts of Blaidd and Iji, saying they "would give too much." Here, at the end, she would ask no more of them. Even you (Auntie Finchy), upon defeating the Baleful Shadow, she tries to abandon again. "Beautifully fought..." but I have to go. "Tell Blaidd and Iji...I love them." But now Ranni may have the faintest glimmer of hope, of an improbable companion on her lonely quest. So she leaves the Discarded Palace Key behind, with no further words or instruction. If you (Auntie Finchy) follow(s) the trail, overcome the remaining obstacles, Astel and faithful Adula, and find Ranni once more, finally free of her golden shackles, well then, you've not only earned your place but have irrefutably *chosen* to be at her side. And she'll meet you once more, at the end of all things, to embark upon the final, loneliest part of the cold, dark path together. Obviously there's more than a little romanticism in this interpretation and it's hardly bulletproof; but I think there's evidence, too. The frustrated, imperious tone in Ainsel is a hinging point (the first time she genuinely opens up, then continues opening up), rather than an anomaly. It makes an already epic quest and ending even more powerful. Hard not to be a sucker for the old, "I won't *let* you do this alone!" trope!
Mitch Collins
2024-07-14 20:03:41 +0000 UTCBlue four-armed finchy baby, coming soon!
TyrantsRuin
2024-07-14 15:35:13 +0000 UTCKrupa's probably right about the Ranni Ainsel dialogue being recorded prior to those where the player's in her service. But if we were to imagine an in-world explanation, I'd like to think that her lapse in memory might be due to being in the miniature since there's a couple of lines referring to her vessel affecting her mind (i.e., " This doll's body is not without its hindrances... Ach, this form hath loosened my tongue.") So maybe she downloaded herself into the mini to scout out the baleful shadows guarding the way to the Moonlight Altar, but doesn't have the capacity to remember the player, only once she gets back into the larger doll and slays her Two Fingers. Maybe the Dark Moon Ring might have had some restorative effect as well? But at the same time she seems to be able to teleport around quite a bit? It's hard to tell what concessions have to be made for the sake of gameplay.
xenon_eels
2024-07-14 13:42:05 +0000 UTCUpset at the words used but not the sword? I don't think she'll be offended since she's been stabbed to death.
dank
2024-07-14 13:19:00 +0000 UTCWhat perfect timing, was just looking for something to watch
David Currie
2024-07-14 09:02:26 +0000 UTC
