Let's survive the Dark Earth (Embrace The Darkness)

[Fat Dragon]

I like this game's art style...if only the char models weren't so fugly. Early 3D models are the ugliest things ever.

 

[lightbane]

Prerrendered scenarios were some of the best ever, even if the 3d characters stood out. I recall one game called The city of the lost children that did something like that (no idea if the game and the film used as a basis are good). Also, I don't know if I'm correct but wasn't there in Dark Earth an inventory limit and the fact that the weapons could break?

 

[ghostdog]

Prerrendered scenarios were some of the best ever, even if the 3d characters stood out. I recall one game called The city of the lost children that did something like that (no idea if the game and the film used as a basis are good). Also, I don't know if I'm correct but wasn't there in Dark Earth an inventory limit and the fact that the weapons could break?

The movie is good, especially for someone that likes to play trippy games like mother 3. Fans of Ron Perlman's ugly mug will also like it. Finally, people that have lolicon fantasies may also like it. Haven't played the game.

Also, I don't know if I'm correct but wasn't there in Dark Earth an inventory limit and the fact that the weapons could break?

I don't know about the inventory limit, but you're right about the weapons. They will get worn after continuous use and there is a chance they could break. Fortunately there is a guy that can repair them.

 

[Brother None]

The movie isn't good.

It's great.

Lolliconage aside.

 

[ghostdog]

It's time for yet another chapter in Arkham's struggling saga to finally follow his orders and go to his damn post. We'll eventually get to it, but since we view this world with child-like eyes, we may as well observe everything we come by and enjoy the calm... because it won't last long.

Chapter 3 :
                                                         
,---.          |              o          |    o          
|    ,---.,---.|--- ,---.,-.-..,---.,---.|--- .,---.,---.
|    |   ||   ||    ,---|| | |||   |,---||    ||   ||   |
`---'`---'`   '`---'`---^` ' '``   '`---^`---'``---'`   '

Downstairs we can see the fountain of fire :

Erected by the Builders before I was born.


Not far from here we find an empty flask...

And we come across a flying machine !

This contraption won't fly unless there's really a lot of wind.


The Builders are the cast that, eh , builds stuff around here. Basically mechanics and engineers.

They've also built this thing here:

A vehicle for people who dare to venture into the Darklands.


I guess this thing needs wind, too. Now, we should be heading outside...

This is our glorious city, Sparta.

The plaza is dominated by a structure that is some kind of well, but...

The hatch is locked.

Hmmm, maybe it's of importance, but for now let's keep observing our surroundings... To the right we can see a big tower...

I think it belongs to the builders, but it's locked now. To the north lies the sun temple. There are two people in the entrance, talking...

It's Rylsadhar, Arkham's father.

Believe me, an imminent danger threatens Sparta. Our entire city is in danger, I sense it. You well know that in the past my predictions have always been correct... I beseech you: let me continue my research.

But Rylsadhar, what are you afraid of?

The Darkness, Great Sunseer, the Darkness that threatens to engulf us all. The Dark Shroud is at our doorstep... and perhaps already within our walls...

Your words cause me great alarm, Rylsadhar. Be careful.

Take this. I do not wish to keep it with me, it will be safer with you.

Mystary !

Light go with you, my friend!

May Light be with you, Lory!


[PERCEPTION] :

So these are the Sunseers, the priests of the dominant religion here in Sparta, that worships the Sun. It seems they are the ones that govern the city.

Before going into the temple let's check the other side of the plaza :

This elevator connects us to the lower city. Look who's here, our pal Zed.

We're bringing up a vehicle that was repaired down below by your friends the Scavengers. I'm in charge of the maneuver, that's all.

In charge of the maneuver means he's the guy that constantly shouts his ass off to the poor workers.

What's this vehicle you're bringing up?

It's the sail chariot I used during my last expedition. It was in pretty bad shape by the time I got back. The Builders couldn't do anything with it, but your friend Danrys repaired it.

You should stay here with us and rest a while. You don't have to go back out into the Darklands right away.

Believe me, Arkhan, I have my reasons. The Darklands aren't as empty as you think.


I believe you Zed. Anyway, time to go inside the Temple.

Light be with you, Jedar.

Dammit, Arkhan! You're late as usual ! Arriving after the Sunseer! Shame on you !

Sorry. I was... uh... busy in the guardroom.

Wow, Arkham's excuses are the epitome of lameness. Maybe it would be better if he said bathroom instead of guardroom.

Mmmm. Sure, sure... Now take your post !


Fuck you dude, I want to explore the place first ! Let's check out this structure in the middle.

The melodious trumpets of the great solaar. The Sunseers use them for important ceremonies. Their music is magnificent.

Something tells me this is more than a music instrument. Further inspection reveals a panel with a slot.

We'll keep that in mind. There's another room here with a big crystal...

...and another small opening begging us to put something in. Maybe later.

We find a priest here, let's talk to him.

You have come to meditate before the Rahal, symbol of the Sun God. Good. Meditation will help strengthen your inner light.

Are you an apostle of the Sun God?

Yes, my friend. This symbol on my forehead, the Rahal, marks me as a messenger of the Sun God. His spirit is within me. He sees through my eyes and speaks through my lips... Believe me when I tell you His sacred light illuminates our hearts and protects the just from the Darkness.

:nods:

And at nightfall, the just, illuminated by their faith, have nothing to fear when they see themselves abandoned by His divine light. Because night is an ordeal feared only by the impure. As with our ancestors from Before, they are deprived of His light forever. Remember that only the just can expose themselves to the rays of the Sun God without fear of death.


What a bloated fool. Let's get out of here. I Think it's time to finally obey our orders and stand guard outside the council room.

I wonder what this meeting is about...

:SCREAM:

Something's going on !

Hurry !!

SHIIII-

:throws knife:

Crap, he have to fight one of them now.

We managed to kill him, but there's still another one.

And he's an ugly motherfucker.

Damn it sunseer, can't you throw him a fireball or something ?

What the hell was that liquid ?

This is the end................................Or so we thought !

STOP RIGHT THERE CRIMINAL SCUM !!!

Zed saved us at the knick of time, but things don't look good...

No, things don't look good at all...

 

[Darth Roxor]

:brofist:

 

[spekkio]

LOL, what a qualified quarding force! Owned by two shitty thugs...

 

[FeelTheRads]

Awesome game! Completed it long time ago.

And since City of the Lost Children was mentioned, that one is pretty good too.

 

[ghostdog]

LOL, what a qualified quarding force! Owned by two shitty thugs...

Not to mention that while the Guardian of fire armor has special plating for the balls, it doesn't protect the torso. At least they got their priorities right...


But the real question is how those thugs got there... :conspiracy:

 

[lightbane]

The Builders are the cast that, eh , builds stuff around here. Basically mechanics and engineers.

The correct term is techpriests.

Also, was that Joker one of the thugs? And the situation is even worse than we thought: They managed to weaponrize the Decline, seeing how was Arkam corrupted.

 

[Brother None]

Man this reminds me of Torment's opening sequence.

 

[ghostdog]

 

[GarfunkeL]

A-aha, good stuff, I remember this part! MOAR!

 

[Radisshu]

Actually I think his new face is an improvement.

Also moar etc

 

[ghostdog]

UNBELIEVABLE !

Our valiant hero has been infected by some strange liquid that has horribly disfigured him. It's like that episode in X-Files with the Black Oil thing. And no, I don't want to believe...

Some may say it's an improvement over his previous ugly mug and I can't say I disagree. I guess it's better being heart-wrenchingly terrifying, than just plain ugly --but how will Kalhi react ? Will she accept him ? Who knows, she may actually be understanding. Especially, you know, if *all* parts of him have become "monstrous"...

On the other hand, the guard doesn't seem to be very understanding...

Chapter 4 :
                                                                                                           
,---.    ,---.               |                       ,---.,---.    ,--.           |                        
|---|    |    ,---.,---.,---.|--- .   .,---.,---.    |   ||__.     |   |,---.,---.|__/ ,---.,---.,---.,---.
|   |    |    |    |---',---||    |   ||    |---'    |   ||        |   |,---||    |  \ |   ||---'`---.`---.
`   '    `---'`    `---'`---^`---'`---'`    `---'    `---'`        `--' `---^`    `   ``   '`---'`---'`---'

The fool doesn't listen and attacks...

But the fact is that in this new form we can actually kick major ass just with our bare hands. It's like being the Slayer in BG2. We've got all these new cool moves and we can evade the enemy much easier. It's fucking awesome.

EMBRACE THE DARK SIDE !

GAHAHAHAHA !!

And stay down, BITCH !

Sorry Guardian, you gave me no choice...


Before we get the chance to catch our breath someone enters the room.

How do you feel? Looks like you took it all right...

This Guardian attacked me, I had to defend myself!

Yes... a superstitious fool! Don't worry, I understand. Kill or be killed, you had no choice!

Do you know what's happening to me? Who are you?

I am Thanandar, a Sunseer like your father. But above all, I am a healer. And I know what's wrong with you, Arkhan. I know only too well. The Darkness has taken root inside you... And it won't stop until it swallows you, body and soul.


That's the downside, folks. As time passes the disease will get stronger and eventually it will consume us. This means that we must move fast.

Is there any way to be cured?

There might be a way...

But I shouldn't be talking about it. I've said too much already. Only your father can choose to divulge the secret and take you there. He is one of the rare Initiates who knows where it is.

You're telling me my father knows about this... secret crypt?

Yes. Go talk to Rylsadhar. Only he can save you. All I can do is prepare a temporary remedy that'll numb the pain and slow the pace of the malady. Come back after you see your father.

It's all right Captain Phedoria! Everything's just fine!

Have to act fast! Others are on the way, and they could be hostile, too. Go to your father and ask him to lead you to the crypt.


Hmmm, this guy Thanadar seems a little too eager to help. I don't trust him. But the fact remains that we should go see Arkham's father. Oh, and before that, let's save. From now on we'll save the game first, then explore on our leisure and decide our course of action and then reload and do it all in tubro (Later I saw the mistake but I decided leave it as it is...) mode.


Let's inspect the area. To the north we find some kind of surgeon's room. Here we can pick up a dagger and a...

Which is actually an empty nuca-cola can, or something, from before the cataclysm. We can also loot a battle-ax from the guard.

Time to visit father.

Inside his hut we can pick up an empty flask and we can observe a strange door with a lock... that looks like a keypad ! :makes mental note:

Rylsadhar is sitting devastated on the bed.

Lory was right, they contaminated you. It's the Curse of the Darkness!

Father, what's happening to me? What is this evil?

Arkhan... My son. Your courage saved the Great Sunseer. But I don't know what can save you from this evil. We'll do everything we can to heal you. Thanandar, our finest healer, is already hard at work.

Thanandar said he couldn't do anything for me. He says the only real cure is found in some crypt.

What? Thanandar told you about that... that place?

Yes, he said only you could lead me there... Father, I need your help!

If I had known that one day this would happen... Your courage and your sacrifice have earned you the right to know! But remember this: ordinarily, I am forbidden to lead you to that sacred spot. must break my vow in order to heal you. You must promise never to speak of what you see there.

I promise.


What's the deal with this crypt ? What is the big secret ? How can it cure the disease ?
But before we could get anything more from him...

It's... It's you?

Yes, it really is Arkhan. The people that tried to kill Lory infected him.

Arkhan, as I was saying... I... I'll take you there, just as I said. But first I must speak to Provost Dhorkan and get his approval. Go and see Sesekhan the Archivist and wait for me there.


Damn ! why bring that creep Dhorkan into this ?!

Arkhan! Oh, sweetheart, what have they done to you? Your... Your face, your hands... You must consult the healers at the hospital!

Listen, I was in the hospital. A Guardian of Fire jumped me. He didn't recognize me, he thought I was a Creature of Darkness.

With everything that's going on, it's a total panic up there. The Provost has taken control of the Stallite. The gates are closed.

Access to the Lower City is cut off, I can't go back. And the Guardians of Fire are looking everywhere for the culprits. I'm afraid of what'll happen if they find me!

My father will help us, don't worry!

By the Great Sun God, I hope he can help you. I'm afraid for you, Arkhan. And what will the Sunseers say if they see you... changed like that. They'll be afraid. They might banish you to the Darklands!

Don't worry, Kalhi, we'll be all right.

Yes, I trust Rylsadhar. You should go see him right away.


Kalhi still likes us


Further inspection of the room reveals something under the bed...

" If you seek the way to the music of the spheres."
" Move three times to the right towards the Sun God."
" Then twice to the left, honoring his emissary the Moon."
" Finally, once more to the right, to avoid the darkness of the night."
" Thus will you come upon the path which leads to the sacred site of eternal day."

Hmm, Strange note...

We better go and find Rylsadhar. We can't waste any time.
As we climb the stairs we come upon Brother "Sun-rays shine through my ass" Ketoun.

He speaks through our lips. He sees all of you through our eyes. He now exhorts us to resist the forces of Darkness! The heretics who have let the Darkness enter their hearts will pay for their treason with their own blood!

Onward, Guardians of Fire, and remember your sacred mission: you are the avenging hand of the Great Solaar! You must drive all those who have consorted with the Darkness out of the Stallite!

Swear by the God Solaar!

We swear by the Great Sun God !

These fanatics are just begging to get their ass kicked by a creature of darkness...

 

[lightbane]

I like that you can now go to visit captain Phedoria, and assuming you were polite she'll vow for you (not for the Provost if I recall correctly). Also, you should show when you can what happens if you use too much the Special attack and allow the Decline to spread too far inside Arkam's body, his "final form" is cool (though unplayable)...

 

[ghostdog]

Hm I haven't actually used the special attack too much... I didn't know this could happen. Kewl !

 

[denizsi]

This is an awesome game. I've played it several times when it came out. There were some minor branching as well. :respect:

Fuck outcast; every Codexer owes it to herself to play this game.

 

[lightbane]

Hm I haven't actually used the special attack too much... I didn't know this could happen. Kewl !

You shouldn't. It raises the corruption too much (and there will be a point that the protagonist will be no longer able to use it 'cause he will be at his limit). Also, it's not enough to raise it to the max to transform, you must either kill a human being when the bar is almost filled and/or let some time pass (I'm not sure), you can try it right after waking up with the poor priest that goes to help you (unfortunately Phedoria will be understandably butthurt and will kill you when you exit the building).

Spoiler

And you can find certain potions that will decrease a bit the "Decline bar" , try killing the priest as I said for an example, though there was a special place on the game where you could purify the Decline almost completely (only temporally though)

 

[ghostdog]

It's impressive how they have covered may different situations. I'm going through the dialog files and there's always a different response if you threaten or attack someone.

 

[denizsi]

Try opening doors in aggressive stance

 

[lightbane]

It's impressive how they have covered may different situations. I'm going through the dialog files and there's always a different response if you threaten or attack someone.

Don't bother, I can confirm you there are. Certain dialogues will be the same regardless of your behaviour, however other characters may be angry with you and attack you if you go EXTREME mode and viceversa (for example, right now where you are depending of your "politeness" you may have to fight several optional combats with some guards that will be logically startled to see Arkam but will still give him an opportunity to explain himself (ie Phedoria again)).

PS: And depending of your choices and actions some characters will change and perform different story events than their "standard" ones.

 

[Crowley9]

" If you seek the way to the music of the spheres."
" Move three times to the right towards the Sun God."
" Then twice to the left, honoring his emissary the Moon."
" Finally, once more to the right, to avoid the darkness of the night."
" Thus will you come upon the path which leads to the sacred site of eternal day."

Could this be... a treasure map?

 

[ghostdog]

Could this be... a treasure map?

That's what I thought too at first, but it's not exactly that. It will be shown in the next update, probably.

 

[ghostdog]

Try opening doors in aggressive stance

heh, that's more like it...