Arcanum - Summoner: Goodbye, Arcanum?

:brobump:

RK47 said:

Real life work is starting to eat up my time again, and I've a test coming on 22 July. Not much time left...Sorry for no updates.

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Good luck with the test today.

Update when you're done maybe?

PlanHex said:

RK47 said:

Real life work is starting to eat up my time again, and I've a test coming on 22 July. Not much time left...Sorry for no updates.

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Good luck with the test today.

Update when you're done maybe?

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I took medical leave and postponed the test till next month.

Ain't no fucking way I'm paying a hundred bucks to retake a failed paper. So...I'm still revising now...but under less pressure...workplace wise, it's getting busier...I'll try my best this weekend.

Hey guys, just got in touch with my little classmates...5 Students, one dropped out, one passed, two failures and one absent on medical leave.

"Why didn't you tell me that you're planning to do that?! I would've done the same!"



Gilford's band of adventurer's left the Island of Thanatos, their destination: The Vendrigroth Wastes.

Days later, Ashbury..

Refresh my mind, Virgil. Where are we supposed to find this...artifact again?


Where do we start?
According to the locals, the only way to get there is through a rusty bridge called the 'Gateway'...past that, not many people know the landmarks. We could spend weeks, months even, looking for this particular ruins.
The school of magic, Tulla, is rumored to be located somewhere in the wastes. I've never been there myself.
I see. Mages want privacy, I guess.
Vendrigoth Wastes used to be the site of a highly technological city...until Arronax happened to them. Kinda ironic there's a school of mages built on top of those...
We've wasted enough time, let's head out to this Gateway and see where we'll go from there.



LPer's Note: This is where the game sorta dropped the ball in quest leading. You'll see why.

After days of travel...


Who might you be?
Careful, boss. How did this little survive out here?
I am Weldo Grubin, the renowned halfling adventurer, at your service good sir.
A halfling adventurer?

The halfling pulled himself up to his full height and attempts to look Gilford in the eye.

What are you implying? I can adventure with the best of them!
It is just that most halflings aren't much for adventuring, is all.
Oh. Well, I actually find most halflings a bit on the boring side. No thrill in their lives, nor do they want any.
So..uh...you explored these parts? Mind telling me some of your adventures?
I always love to speak of my adventures! What can I share with you?
Well, for a start, foudn anything of interest in your travels?
Well, yes, actually. I found a very interesting device on a foray near here. *He holds up a small, peculiar item for Gilford to look at.* I found this in some old ruins out in the wastes.
Really?
Yes. The ruins were made of a metal of a sort I've never encountered before. There was all manner of junk around and inside them. I found this device while rummaging through it.
I see...
Some nasty lizards must live underneath it, because they swarmed out at the noise and I had to retreat a ways.
Sounds bad.
Well, you have to expect danger in my line of work.

LP Note: AND THAT WAS IT, FOLKS! I can't ask a single shit about this 'metallic ruins'.

Oh, like what?
I have seen all kinds of strange critters. I have seen giant spiders with the upper body of a woman! That wasn't the strangest thing, though.
What could be stranger than that?
Once I saw the darnedest thing. Deep in the desert, I saw a rock stand up and move around. I swear it looked at me, too.
Did you speak to it?
Don't be absurd. I took off my hat, bowed graciously, and left it to its own devices.
Riiiight. This guy is full of it...
Wait,...have you seen any cities in the wastes?
Well, it's pretty empty out there, and I haven't been exploring all that log. But I found this one city, way out in the wastes, surrounded by shifting sands. No roads led into or out of the place.
Hmmm. Continue.
There's no obvious entrance, so I climbed the surrounding wall. From that vantage I could see the whole place.
Anyone in there?
Yeah, there were a lot of people inside, lots of different races. Everyone was wearing robes and acting very polite and all.
Hmmm. Did you go inside?
No, I climbed back down and left. Bigger folk have their own ways, and I won't be disturbing them.
That...could be Tulla, the city of mages.
Waldo, please show me where it is on my map..
I don't know...perhaps if you did something for me, first....
Bah! You're leading us on, halfling! Forget this..
Relax, Seb, I got this. I'm beginning to wonder if you actually know where the city is.
Of course I know where it is!
Then show me. There's no harm in that.
Fine! Here. Down here! *Stabs the map with his finger.*
Thanks, Weldo...I'd invite you...but I think our travels would be a bit much for a halfling...
Pfft. Get out already, you ungrateful folks!
Tsk, spared you from the Void, we did...let's go.

The party stepped onto the rusty bridge....



Unbelievable. I guess what they said about Vendrigoth is true...



Yeah, wooden bridges would've been destroyed by now...but this iron bridge is still steady as ever...



Let's head over to Tulla...
Well, assuming the directions are correct...
Gee, what are the chances? C'mon.

LP Note: Yeah, that's the only way to get there. I think. Not sure if wandering around in the wastelands aimlessly will trigger the point spawning in the map....but man, just a halfling to lead you to Tulla? I smell end game rushed development incoming!

After many days of travel...


Hi, what is this place?
Ah, it is you. Jorian told us to be expecting you. You may enter.
Thank you. But who is Jorian? Is this place Tulla?
Jorian the diviner. He is inside, waiting for you...and yes, this place is Tulla, the city of mages. To enter, just walk through the pillar.
For real? I've seen demons and fireballs...but a teleportation...
Scared? C'mon!





Zounds!



Well. That's...interesting.
So this is where the other race's mages gather...or are they simply hiding in fear of technology?
Or..perhaps they simply want to keep their secrets away from prying eyes...anyway, any visions of this place?
Mmm. Very well.



Cryptic. Let's meet this Diviner...

Yeah, the Arcanum end-game suffered the typical Troika rush, didn't bother me so much on my first run through, but subsequent playthroughs made it glaringly obvious how much weaker this part of the game was in comparison to the rest.

Also: Update woo!

Can't you skip the entire Tulla/Vendigroth thing if you attack Nasrudin? Or do you need the Vendigroth device to finish the game? I've never tried attacking him, but I heard he'll send you straight into the Void.

Yeah, you can. Once he gets low enough on health he will send you and the party down. At which point you need to either:


It doesn't change the end-game all that much.

RK47 said:

Hey guys, just got in touch with my little classmates...5 Students, one dropped out, one passed, two failures and one absent on medical leave.

"Why didn't you tell me that you're planning to do that?! I would've done the same!"

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Good luck, you diabolical genius, you.

RK47 said:

LP Note: Yeah, that's the only way to get there. I think. Not sure if wandering around in the wastelands aimlessly will trigger the point spawning in the map....but man, just a halfling to lead you to Tulla? I smell end game rushed development incoming!

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It's definitely rushed, but it's a bit more complete than that; you can also find Tulla by asking Perriman Smythe (and, I think, Geoffrey) about it, and yes, you can also find it by wandering.

Exciiiiited. Tell us moar! <3

I am sorry.

Retconaissance


They are not MY responsibilities.
We have no choice in our responsibilities in this life, regardless of how it may appear. I can assure you, this is your task to shoulder...
Do NOT speak to me about responsibilities, old man! YOU faked your own death. YOU hid yourself here, undisturbed while the whole world fell under a dark plot once more with your lost flock leading the world to its doom...were it not for ME. I've done my part, it's time you do yours.
...Master, please. I understand your anger but...Nasrudin must have his reasons...
No, Virgil. I'm done doing the dirty work...you've died twice following me, already. Haven't you had enough? You believed in his teachings...yet THIS is all he can do? Days, weeks, months we've been hounded by murderers, and murdered our way through...some victims undeserving of such fates...You didn't even know what I did to Qintarra, did you, o Great Nasrudin?
What? Speak! What have you done?
Only what needed to be done to all uppity elves like you. *spits*
Virgil.
He...we.....murdered them..
You...what? *Looks shaken.* For what purpose? *Clenches his fists.*
Say no more, Virgil. *Raises his right palm to gather his magickal energies.*
No, this is wrong! Please, stop, both of you!
You want answers too, Nasrudin? Well, then, you're going to have to earn it! *Hurls a necromantic spell.*

Virgil froze. He couldn't move a muscle. It had gone so horribly wrong. He regretted answering the call of resurrection after his death...death, would've been a more merciful fate than witnessing this...

The rest of Gilford's companions did not hesitate. Torian raised his axe, Zan Alurin shifted into her rock form, ready to smash the elven wizard. When suddenly...


No! That spell! It can't be!
What spell is he casting?
I am sorry, Gilford...I can't kill you yet...not when there's so much to be done...I leave everything to you...*Finishes his spell.*
Damn you, Nasrudin! Damn you, coward!

Desperately, Gilford unleashes his Quench Life magick at the elven wizard, who made no attempt to dodge it...His work was finished...he closes his eyes as the spell snuffed the life out of him. The sight of Nasrudin's body was the last thing Gilford sees before the world disappeared from his gaze...

Music: Pagan



Where.... are we?

Time Pair O' Ducks

The whole Tulla and Vendigroth ruins stuff would not have had made for an interesting LP, anyway. Kudos on the Retcon.

Excellent choice. Spectacular update. Gilford's nearing the finish line.

Music: Under Construction

Thanks for the wait guys, I'm as excited of this update as you are, because we're entering an unfamiliar zone.



Gilford's party had no respite, the green skinned creatures descended upon them upon their arrival. When the battle died down, Sebastian shook his head and sighed, he had run out of bullets.

This is...this is the Void?
It would appear so. Nasrudin...banished us here.
That coward!
May I recommend we fight our way to a clearing before resuming this discussion? There's still plenty of hungry void beasts...
I agree. There is a clearing nearby...west of here.
Okay, let's move!



Several dead lizards later...

Alright, looks safe enough..Virgil, are you okay?

Look, I'm sorry I got you into this mess. You were with me from the start...Everyone else here too,...I..
Sir, it's not your fault. I...it's too late to change anything. Let's just find Arronax and finish it.
Arronax...he should be somewhere in the Void,...but where, I know not.
He may hold the key for us to escape from here. Damn Nasrudin and his son!
I should've packed more bullets, ah well...*swings his Balanced Sword* I'm ready, boss.
Alright. Stick tight...I'm running low on stamina potions myself...I guess I should return to my original roots...
Mmm, what was your original Circle of mastery, Gilford?
Before necromancy? This.


Ah, Conjuration...

This familiar takes a lot out of me to summon...but at least I don't have to maintain an upkeep...


Everyone ready? Let's fight our way east...I think I saw something glowing over there...


Hmmm. What do you think this is?
I can't tell. It looks...technological but...here? In the Void?
Let's get on it. There's no way off this island anyway...


Uh huh...a teleportation pad and more ruins.



How is it possible there's a man-made structure here?
We need to get inside...let's circle around the back. The front's got plenty of jellyfishes...


Huh, no luck avoiding them. Let's fight our way in!


Way's clear. Let's go!



I'm here for Arronax. Get out of my way.

Really? It's..
At this point, I don't really give a damn whether it's a trap or not. Arronax dies. Then we get out of here. That's the plan. Questions?

No one asked any. Gilford took a step forward and the Spectral guards made no move to stop him. The gateway opened revealing an elven figure encased in a greenish, obviously magickal shell. Their eyes met.


Arronax, I presume?
Your presumption is correct. And who might I have the pleasure of addressing?
(Huh. I expected him to be much taller and clad in that sinister red robe...) I am Alain Gilford.
Well, Alain Gilford, what brings you to my corner of oblivion?
I didn't choose to come here. I was involved in events beyond my control.
That is the feeling I have much familiarity with. Sometimes I feel that my fate was decreed from an early age.
(Fuck you.) You are here because of your actions, not some cruel twist of fate.

(God, just shut the fuck up...) Oh, by the way, about your father: I killed him.

Why would you care? I simply finished what you had started.

I have no time for this self-reflection bullshit. I killed him, and I'll kill you too. Come out of your shell.

I would squish you like I did your pathetic father.

I don't - wait. Kerghan trapped you in there?

When did he trap you? After you had the Black Mountain Clan banished?

Arronax remained silent.

Arronax! Answer me!

Arronax turns his back, refusing to speak further.

Kerghan?

Whoah, we're suddenly heading to the end very fast.

Probably a wise choice though, this is some good reading, RK47

Thank you, RK47.

What the....oh my

I've encountered a very strange bug...Kerghan would not resume our conversation after his exposition cinematics...the animation loops....errr...This LP is in limbo until it is resolved.

RK47 said:

....errr...This LP is in limbo until it is resolved.

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RK47 said:

I've encountered a very strange bug...Kerghan would not resume our conversation after his exposition cinematics...the animation loops....errr...This LP is in limbo until it is resolved.

Click to expand...

If you're looking for a resolution, the man to talk to is Muro at the terra-arcanum forums. Good luck.

RK47 said:

....errr...This LP is in limbo until it is resolved.

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Look, I understand you want to capitalize on the success of the LP, but really, this is a very powerful dick move, man.

Think of your fans, don't do this.
Just resume the LP, no questions asked and you will see your popularity soar anyway.
There is no need to employ such petty stratagems to raise the interest.

You are among friends.

Please,












MOARRRRRR!

Lol...what would I gain by delaying this? I really want to wrap this shit up ASAP. Hence that's why I retconned the Void attack earlier. Then the game just bugs out right after the Kerghan exposition cinematic plays. It finishes playing, then loops again to the same dialogue line that triggers the cinematic. I can only press ESC to quit or continue the loop again.

Oh? I see you took me somewhat seriously.

I am honored, but you should not mind what I said, I saw a perfect opportunity for a mindfuck and couldn't resist.

But surely you remember the Mass Effect 3 LP that you shamelessly abandoned.


Jokes aside, I really believe the way you are LPing this is pure genius.

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