Episode 3 Finale Sneak Peek #9

SPOILER WARNING

The following preview is of the Episode 3 finale. If you have not played the alpha build up to the very end of its current content, or if you would like to avoid major spoilers for how things play out, you may want to skip this post. As the finale is very dependent on companion and approval levels, prior actions, and player choice, the following is only a sample of what may occur on some routes.

The following dialogue occurs on a favourable Solarath path with low Lethalis approval and high Aeran approval.

This sneak peek is also very short due to how twisty the branches are in this particular version of the scene. Also, the finale has officially passed the 60,000 word mark which is an awful lot of time spent talking to one character in all these different possibilities. 🤣

“That’s fascinating and all,” you say, “but even with that all said you still have one small problem: I am not going to hand you the Astrial.”

 “And what would it take to convince you?”

 “You want to bargain?”

 He spreads his hands. “By all means.”

 You cast a sideways glance at Aeran, hoping for guidance or reassurance or anything to back up your decision—but you find him deathly still, gaze absent, face pale and stiff. Something is wrong—horribly, terribly wrong, but there is no way for you to pull him aside and ask in private. 

You are on your own.  

[CHOICE] 1. Bargain.
2. Do not bargain.

“Then I’m willing to talk,” you say. 

Quirinus smiles. “Splendid. I knew you would see reason.” 

“Then I hope I can say the same for you. Breaking a contract is no mean feat and I do not enjoy going back on my word. I don’t care what happens to the Astrial; whose hands it falls into—be it yours or Umbria’s or someone else’s—and what happens to it afterwards is none of my business. But Lethalis will want my head on a pike for turning my back on them, and I would rather fight for my life now than spend the rest of it on the run. I need assurances.” 

“Very well. What kind? Name your price.” 

You pause. He’s being a little too reasonable, isn’t he? 

How much can you get away with? There are things you should ask for, but you could use this as an opportunity to gather more information. The Grand Archsage certainly knows things you don’t—if you care about that. Then again, he wants the Astrial no matter the cost. He may say that he does not wish to see the death of more Wayfarers, but you doubt that will hold him back from attacking you should this go sour.

 1. Secure protection from Lethalis should they come after you.
2. Demand the crowns you were promised. If Lethalis is not going to pay you in full, someone else should.
3. Request a ship out of the city.
4. Ask him about the phenomena you witnessed inside the tower. The ghosts, the imprints… the nature of it perplexes you. Perhaps he can tell you more.
5. Ask him what he knows of Varyn. He’s Arathian—perhaps he knows what happened to her.
6. Ask him what he intends to do with the Astrial.
7. You’ve asked for enough. Do not ask for more. [option only appears once one question as been asked.]