Eternity Pillars of Eternity II Beta Thread [GAME RELEASED, GO TO NEW THREAD]

[Mazisky]

Pillars 1 tutorial\early is a lot better than Baldur's Gate one.

You have a nice situation and many cool events to learn the basics as opposed to Candlekeep random monks who run to you saying "press this to do this".

Candlekeep is a cool place, but the pacing and atmosphere of Pillars 1 early is more compelling.

Imho Pillars 1 start is one of the best part of the game along with Raedric's castle

 

[Iskramor]

[...]

One missed opportunity is the great atmosphere they've got going after you awaken. It's kinda similar to after Gorion dies in Baldur's Gate, which I guess was intentional, how you're sorta left alone out in the wilderness. But that lovely, hostile feeling never really takes off. Despite the fact that Gilded Vale is all grimdark it never feels dangerous. In BG there was a great feeling of dread, especially with the little "boss fight" just outside Friendly Arm Inn.

Oh, yeah, absolutely. It was amazing in the original BG1 just how "lost" you were after your foster-father just bit it, and the feeling of being lost tied in great with the feeling of loss (which the player likely did not really experience). The very real sense of "What now?" bridged that a lot in more than one sense.

It's a great engineered moment of uncertainty. Gorion is dead, you can't go back, there's nothing to go on but a vague direction, and just when you think things can't possibly get any worse: 'Heya! It's me, Imoen!'

Proceeds to install imoen romance mode...

 

[aweigh]

Spoiler

 

[FreeKaner]

In another episode of bias of consideration, people do this all the time. If you paint something in a sarcastic light it looks bad, if you pay attention to its details with excitement no matter how insignificant it looks better;

 

[agentorange]

Yes. The classical "muh X" argumentation method as used by the highest philosophical minds.

 

[existential_vacuum]

• Will the DLC be available for the console version of the game?
  • Yes! The DLC will be free with the PS4, XBOX, and Switch versions of the game.

• Will the DLC be available for the console version of the game?
  • Yes! The DLC will be free with the PS4, XBOX, and Switch versions of the game.

Switch Version

That's it, folks, Switch is getting the best spin-off, alright..

 

[Lacrymas]

That Call of Duty synopsis is overinterpretation and overdramatisation, looking for meaning where there is none.

 

[agentorange]

That's called analysis.

 

[Cross]

Imho Pillars 1 start is one of the best part of the game along with Raedric's castle

Funny, because I remember being baffled by how banal PoE's intro was. Candlekeep, the Mortuary, Chateau Irenicus, these are distinct locations with ties to the narrative. By contrast, PoE's tutorial area consists of completely generic ruins that could have been in any RPG, and the two characters that join you are such obvious tutorial NPCs that they might as well have been wearing T-shirts saying 'I will soon die in the inciting incident that kickstarts the plot of this game'.

Even something as simple as backtracking to Gorion's body and reading the letter he had on him does a much better job of setting up the stakes than PoE's intro.

I also appreciate BG's intro better on replays. You can exit Candlekeep straight away, whereas PoE's tutorial is relatively long and unskippable.

 

[FreeKaner]

Please, Irenicus' intro is possibly the most cliché intro ever. Have you played the game in last decade? It literally starts with usual bioware chosen one bullshit talking about your hidden potential and untapped power. Candlekeep is literally a linear road where you talk to monks to learn how to use controls.

Mortuary is p. nice but people are really overselling Candlekeep and Chateau Irenicus.

 

[CptMace]

HEY, SO YOU ARE THIS TATOOED HIPSTER AND YOU HAVE LIKE AMNESIA OR SOMETHING BECAUSE WE LIFTED THE PLOT HOOK FROM EVERY 90S THRILLER EVER. GO AND FIND OUT WHO YOU REALLY ARE, OH BY THE WAY WE MADE YOU IMMORTAL TO APPEAL TO MASS MARKET CASUALS.

Far Cry 3

 

[Lacrymas]

Mortuary is p. nice but people are really overselling Candlekeep and Chateau Irenicus.

Candlekeep is more focused and a more gradual transition to the Call to Adventure. Even though I hate Campbell's oversimplification and overgeneralisation, it works as a quick reference point. The CtA is Gorion's death in this case, everything else is optional, as you can just go talk to him and leave. The assassins in Candlekeep directly relate to Gorion's death and you being hunted. You can't skip all the drama in the beginning of PoE and much of the action is self-contained. Would something be different story-wise had the natives not attacked the caravan? Would it be different had you not gone through the dungeon? The whole opening could go like this -> bad weather causes the tree to block the path, you stop near a cave, biawac hits and only you manage to survive by being near the cave looking for berries, you go to the other side of the cave and the other biawac hits. Same end result, much more succinct and less filler.

But, like I said, it's fine, it's not storytelling excellence, as it has too much stuff going on that doesn't matter, but whatever, it's not the worst thing in the world.

 

[Cross]

Please, Irenicus' intro is possibly the most cliché intro ever. Have you played the game in last decade? It literally starts with usual bioware chosen one bullshit talking about your hidden potential and untapped power. Candlekeep is literally a linear road where you talk to monks to learn how to use controls.

The monks in Candlekeep are a clumsy way of doing a tutorial, but they're optional. PoE's tutorial commits the cardinal sin of being long, unskippable, not particularly interesting and, because your companions are scripted to always die, ultimately inconsequential.

Although I like Chateau Irenicus as a whole, I will agree that the first few minutes of BG2 contain possibly the single worst dialogue in the entire game.

Five dialogue responses, all of which express some form of amnesia despite your character not having any kind of amnesia. Amazing.

 

[Iskramor]

Spoiler

I find this hard but not impossible to fap to.

 

[Delterius]

Switch Version

I just built a boat out of cardboard so bring it on.

 

[Delterius]

Candlekeep is more focused and a more gradual transition to the Call to Adventure.

Candlekeep is the impregnable fortress that the main villain had a hard time infiltrating. Except for the two weakest bandits in all the realms. Those are actually master spies.

 

[Cross]

Candlekeep is more focused and a more gradual transition to the Call to Adventure.

Candlekeep is the impregnable fortress that the main villain had a hard time infiltrating.

http://baldursgate.wikia.com/wiki/The_Diary_of_Sarevok

I have decided to take this time to make my visit to Candlekeep. I have waited a long time to research the prophecies of Alaundo, and I must know if the dreams speak the truth. I will not believe the words of phantoms without proof, and the Priest of Bhaal I confronted gave me nothing. He was old and died quickly in my grasp. If the words are true, I shall surely groom stronger acolytes than this.

11th of Ches, 1368: My research has gone well. The monks here at Candlekeep have been quite helpful. From what I have read, it would seem certain that the blood of Bhaal does indeed flow through my veins. His prophecies are (of course) ambiguous, but I think I understand them. He foresaw his coming death, and seeded his essence across the land. The children born as a result bear the marks of chaos, have power with no direction, and shall feel the blood of a god within them. The deaths they bring shall awaken the father, and through them he will rise. It does not explicitly say, but obviously this means that death wrought by the children will cause them to ascend. Fitting, and since the father was the Lord of Murder, proving one's worth must involve an act in accordance with his portfolio. I begin to see what I must do. Death on a god-like scale.

3rd of Tarsahk, 1368: The monk Gorion troubles me. He seems to have taken an interest in my readings. I must be careful to be more clandestine in my research. I wish I could simply kill him, but I doubt I could safely murder him within this damnable library.

11th of Tarsahk, 1368: I had a dream this night. My mother was talking to me, but as she did her face became bloated and discolored. Her voice became weaker as she spoke to me, telling me to save her from Reiltar. I could see the garrote cutting into her neck, but I did nothing. It was only a dream.

27th of Tarsahk, 1368: I take my leave of Candlekeep now, and not a moment too soon, for I am sure that Gorion has perceived my heritage. One thing that I am certain of: <CHARNAME> is, in actuality, one of Bhaal's brood as well. <CHARNAME> has all the markings, and it would explain Gorion's curiosity of my studies. Though there is nothing I can do now, I will have to make certain to return and kill the little brat. It would be foolish of me to let one of my siblings live, especially one being brought up by the Harpers (and I am sure that is where Gorion's allegiances lay).

Sarevok was on his way to Candlekeep, that's why the game starts with Gorion waking you up to leave. BG's writing isn't exactly great, but it's not that bad.

 

[Lacrymas]

His point is more how the two assassins entered Candlekeep, not whether Sarevok was there or not. He could've paid/persuaded people that were already in the keep to do that, but it isn't explained.

 

[CptMace]

How could you doubt sarevok's infiltration skills delterius ? Were you not blown away by the realisation that

Spoiler

Koveras is actually Sarevok backwards !!1!!

 

[Quillon]

https://eternity.obsidian.net/scavenger

Welcome Seafaring Friends,
Your adventures across the Deadfire region will soon begin, and where they will lead you is anyone's guess. There will be plenty of tough choices to make and challenges ahead. To help you prepare, we've put a scavenger hunt together that will bestow upon you various digital rewards for use during your journey. These can only be unlocked if you are able to hunt down and find the secret codes hidden in all manner of Deadfire assets around the web: in trailers, screenshots, livestreams, at events, and more!

Steps to start your seafaring adventure are simple:

1. Sign up to take part using Steam account details
2. Search for hidden codes in Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire assets
3. Once you've found a code, sign in to your Captain's Logbook and enter the code
4. After you have enough codes entered for each item, your digital reward will be added to your Steam account. There are 10 items to unlock in total.
5. Once the game launches, your unlocked items will appear in your inventory

Happy Hunting!

 

[Tenebris]

Looking like it's Steam only for now.

 

[Infinitron]

Codes we have so far: https://forums.obsidian.net/topic/95782-worldofeternity-funny-business-speculation/

Apparently there are 55 of them to enter, so there are many that haven't been found.

 

[FreeKaner]

While the idea may be themetically fitting, I find it rather silly because it ultimately only gives you meta-advantage that will all be compiled in a thread day 1.

 

[m_s0]

https://eternity.obsidian.net/scavenger

Welcome Seafaring Friends,
Your adventures across the Deadfire region will soon begin, and where they will lead you is anyone's guess. There will be plenty of tough choices to make and challenges ahead. To help you prepare, we've put a scavenger hunt together that will bestow upon you various digital rewards for use during your journey. These can only be unlocked if you are able to hunt down and find the secret codes hidden in all manner of Deadfire assets around the web: in trailers, screenshots, livestreams, at events, and more!

Steps to start your seafaring adventure are simple:

1. Sign up to take part using Steam account details
2. Search for hidden codes in Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire assets
3. Once you've found a code, sign in to your Captain's Logbook and enter the code
4. After you have enough codes entered for each item, your digital reward will be added to your Steam account. There are 10 items to unlock in total.
5. Once the game launches, your unlocked items will appear in your inventory

Happy Hunting!

Well, that's one way to put it.

Here's a different way:

Spoiler

SCAVENGER HUNT
Legal | April 11, 2018 12:00 AM

OFFICIAL RULES
PLEASE READ THESE OFFICIAL RULES CAREFULLY.

By entering THIS PROMOTION, you agree to accept and be bound by all terms of these Official Rules. IF YOU ARE ACCEPTING THESE TERMS ON BEHALF OF ANOTHER PERSON, YOU REPRESENT AND WARRANT THAT YOU HAVE FULL AUTHORITY TO ACT FOR AND TO BIND THAT PERSON TO THESE TERMS.

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1. SPONSOR AND PROMOTION ENTITIES. This Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire Scavenger Hunt (this “Promotion”) is sponsored by Versus Evil LLC, P.O. Box 482 Phoenix, MD 21131 (the “Sponsor”). “Promotion Entities” include all Sponsor employees, officers, directors, agents, representatives, developers and licensors and subcontractors, of the Sponsor, and all legal, promotion, and/or advertising agencies and third parties of the aforementioned entities.
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3. ELIGIBILITY. This Promotion is void where prohibited by law. Each eligible person who participates in the Promotion is an “Entrant”. You agree that this Promotion is open to those who are at least the age of majority in the country in which they reside, provided that all eligible Entrants, have Internet access during the Promotion Period, and provide a link to their Steam® Subscriber Account for the purpose of administering Rewards.
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5. TIMING: The Promotion begins on April 11, 2018, at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time(“PT”) and ends on November 30, 2018, at 11:59 p.m. PT (the “Promotion Submission Period”).
   
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6. HOW TO ENTER. To enter, during the Promotion Period each eligible Entrant need to go to the official Pillars of Eternity II Scavenger Hunt website, which is located at www.deadfirescavenger.com (the “Pillars II Scavenger Website”) and register for the Promotion. Registration requires that each Entrant either log in with their Obsidian.net account or create a new account. Once logged in, each Entrant is required to connect to their Steam Subscriber Account (for the purpose of distributing awards only). At the completion of the registration process, an account will be automatically established for each Entrant (each an “Entrant Account”).
7. FINDING CODES / HOW TO WIN. Prior to the start of the Promotion, the Sponsor has hidden numerous 6-digit alphanumeric codes in various Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire magazine articles and advertisements, Internet publications and advertisements, marketing materials, Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire art assets, screenshots, magazine cover art, livestreams, trade show handouts, and other visual and audio mediums (“Codes”). Entrants must find Codes and unlock rewards as discussed below.
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I guess this is what happens when lawyers get fucking bored.

 

[Delterius]

Sarevok was on his way to Candlekeep, that's why the game starts with Gorion waking you up to leave. BG's writing isn't exactly great, but it's not that bad.

To be fair, you missed the part where he fooled everyone by naming himself Koveras.