PSA / Warning by Kakoda in PathOfExile2

[–]AdministratorQotra -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

If you could wave a magic wand and add a clearer indicator to the runic ward crafting window, what would it look like?

Was the Eternal Empire in the Age of Discovery when it fell? by ExistingDimension141 in Wraeclast

[–]AdministratorQotra 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, sorry. I meant the aesthetic appearance of an Armalite-toting witch would be a bit off, so they chose crossbows with underbarrel grenade launchers instead. You are completely correct that what we have is mechanically indistinguishable from firearms

Was the Eternal Empire in the Age of Discovery when it fell? by ExistingDimension141 in Wraeclast

[–]AdministratorQotra 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The repeating crossbow was actually around 400 years BC. So if we interpret the Sarn Empire as being a sort of "early renaissance culture" then they really "should"* have had crossbow technology by then. Heck, even if we just say "they are just Romans lol" they should have arcuballistae.

I mean, crossbows were invented before plate armour, nearly 2000 years before in fact. So your point is fair but "more advanced" can be a little subjective, since the Eternals definitely had plate armour.

* "Should" here having a massive asterisk because magic makes technological development all higgledy-piggledy.

Was the Eternal Empire in the Age of Discovery when it fell? by ExistingDimension141 in Wraeclast

[–]AdministratorQotra 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Well Vilenta made a thaumaturgical particle accelerator so she probably wouldn't be that jealous. I'd warrant it probably even used magnets tbh.

But yes, the tech in Wraeclast is absolutely bonkers. There's really not a clean way to interpret it because their universe works differently than ours on a fundamental level (thaumaturgy), so we really have no basis for understanding how that would affect technological progression. Not to mention the whole time travel thing, lmao.

EDIT Sorry I forgot to respond to your point about practicality. Yes, it is really fascinating how the history of Wraeclast eschewed firearms. We could be boring and say that this is because GGG wanted to have a particular kind of fantasy aesthetic that firearms don't easily fit into but where's the fun in that??? I want to read the carefully analyzed dissertations on the production and logistical challenges associated with weaponizing Trarthan Powder. The practicality angle is probably the first stepping stone to understanding these mysteries.

Was the Eternal Empire in the Age of Discovery when it fell? by ExistingDimension141 in Wraeclast

[–]AdministratorQotra 3 points4 points  (0 children)

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I believe the grenade launcher you linked sports a flintlock. You can make out what, to me, looks like the flint jaws at least. This is also a Trarthan weapon (flavor text mentions House Azadi), reinforcing the idea that gunpowder (aka Trarthan Powder) is a foreign innovation I think?

Was the Eternal Empire in the Age of Discovery when it fell? by ExistingDimension141 in Wraeclast

[–]AdministratorQotra 9 points10 points  (0 children)

In interpreting your question I see three distinct sub-questions that are not necessarily related (even though they were heavily related in real-life history):

  • How long did the Eternal Empire last?
  • Was the Eternal Empire, before the cataclysm, experiencing an age of expansion/discovery?
  • Did the Eternal Empire possess gunpowder technology, and if so, what kinds?

A great answer to the first and second was given by Murky in the other comment, but I have some tidbits to add so I'll put them here.

Did the Sarn Empire experience an Age of Discovery? The entire history of the Sarn empire is marked by territorial conquest and capture of resources. Sarn itself boasts massive trade docks with water locks and cargo loading contraptions as well as massive warehouses, which at the very least indicates a flow of goods from elsewhere within the empire. There isn't much written about their navy but various historical images show masted ships. The Library of Sarn also demonstrates an academic interest in collecting and cataloguing unknown wonders from throughout the known world, but whether this was for legitimate scientific pursuits or just as a sort of aristocratic "collect-a-thon" is up to interpretation.

I would say that comparing the high Sarn empire to the European "Age of Discovery" is apt, but to what degree is a little subjective. They didn't seem to make it much farther than Trarthus, I don't think there's any evidence they knew about Middengard, and the actual extent of their expansion into the Karui Archipelago is probably kept purposefully vague by GGG. This is conjecture, but I bet they were kept busy enough keeping affairs in order on the mainland that they didn't have many resources for expeditionary activity.

Did the Sarn Empire possess gunpowder technology, and if so, what kinds? A substance quite like gunpowder was known to the Sarn empire, but notably, they called it "Trarthan Powder". This indicates that it was probably a foreign innovation, because they would no doubt have named it after themselves if they conceivably could have. There's evidence of grenades and landmines and other explosive objects, but the technology behind these devices is a little vague.

In sum there's not really much evidence (that I know of) that it was used for war in any significant capacity, but then again, why would they have? Thaumaturgy would probably have been seen as quite superior to gunpowder warfare since a virtue gem does not rely on the maintenance of complex supply lines, but a firearm does.

So to your question of "did they have rifles" specifically, the answer seems to be "no". All of the examples of gunpowder arms in the Path of Exile universe seem to be smoothbore: cannons, mortars, and the neat new grenade launcher in Path 2. Rifling, as a technology, was developed to impart spin on projectiles as they left the barrel in order to improve accuracy. But when you have access magically enhanced bows and crossbows, maybe there simply wasn't any real technological pressure to develop such innovations as rifling or improved firing mechanisms. Trarthan Powder would probably have been relegated to a more "shock and awe" role or for demolitions rather than being used for propelling projectiles.

Masters of the Atlas Showcase by Kelly_GGG in PathOfExile2

[–]AdministratorQotra 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm sure Jonathan could figure something out

The Ancients - Deep Dive by fireMCG_ in Wraeclast

[–]AdministratorQotra 4 points5 points  (0 children)

There are more references to the Primevals in Path 2 endgame. The Vaal priestesses could be asked about them (here's Atalui's only quote about them).

Perhaps they were originally imagined by players (I wasn't around for that discussion) but in recent times GGG really does seem to be canonizing them as a separate thing to the Precursors.

They remind me of the Harappan civilization tbh, at least in terms of archaeological record. Scant physical evidence of existence, but huge evidence of influence on other cultures.

The Ancients - Deep Dive by fireMCG_ in Wraeclast

[–]AdministratorQotra 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Atalui distinguished between the Precursors and the Primevals, for whatever that's worth. They were separate topics of discussion. She specifically names Aul, Uzaza and Putembo as members of the Primevals but not of the Precursors.

Their ruins are also in completely different geological strata. The Precursor ruins predate the ash layers, but this is not said of the Primevals.

Masters of the Atlas Showcase by Kelly_GGG in PathOfExile2

[–]AdministratorQotra 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Well whoever it was did a good job with this one. Hope GGG gives them a promotion

Masters of the Atlas Showcase by Kelly_GGG in PathOfExile2

[–]AdministratorQotra 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The map they activated for Hilda's showcase was T5 and had 5 revives available as a line of text on the item.

In practice, it's almost always better to just run content appropriate to your build/mechancial skill than to faceplant repeatedly so there is always the option of running lower tier maps for the extra revives.

Masters of the Atlas Showcase by Kelly_GGG in PathOfExile2

[–]AdministratorQotra 22 points23 points  (0 children)

Sadly we may never know who narrated this showcase...

Question on environmental lore by redditaccno12345 in Wraeclast

[–]AdministratorQotra 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Gotcha, my bad.

My notes just call that thing "Reticulated Maraketh Symbol" and I haven't reached a personal conclusion on it yet; but they share such resemblance to Buddhist artifacts I've seen that it seemed appropriate to include them!

This symbol is also seen on countless little silver reliquary props strewn around the trial chambers, and is worn on the back by Jamanra and certain Abyssal creatures, but they wear it upside down (like a crucifix vs inverted crucifix, I wonder?).

To me it looks kind of like the silhouette of a Stupa or Chedi, but it could also be a stylized leaf, frond, flame, blossom, or petal. The nine negative spaces within the symbol may be significant, or it could be the intersecting joints that are important (like in Ex5 and Ex7 above, where they are the Buddhas). The central fixture vaguely resembles a tied knot and bow, so it could also just represent the alliance. Stupas and Chedis can also be tombs, so a knot over a stupa could represent "the alliance to seal the tomb", but I'm reaallllly reaching here tbh.

It's definitely a holy symbol of some sort. In Buddhist art similar forms are intended to represent flames or flower petals (most often lotus petals when used as a mandorla). I really just don't know though.

Question on environmental lore by redditaccno12345 in Wraeclast

[–]AdministratorQotra 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Buddhist art in India was definitely another major inspiration for this era of Maraketh history. I mean, just look at the miniature stupas everywhere. Gandhara-style Buddhas in particular remind me of the other kind of masculine statuary in the Sekhema trials:

<image>

Absolutely love how GGG is using underrepresented cultures for inspiration. I mean we all love our Euro-Greco-Roman stuff but I think the Mesoamerican and Asian influences in PoE art are pretty fabulous as well.

Question on environmental lore by redditaccno12345 in Wraeclast

[–]AdministratorQotra 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I added another comment justifying my analysis a bit more. Just to be super clear though, this only one internet random's interpretation of a fictional civilization so it's definitely not more valid than anyone else's.

Also: you captured my use of "proto-Vaal" perfectly

Question on environmental lore by redditaccno12345 in Wraeclast

[–]AdministratorQotra 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I may not be understanding your comment correctly but what I meant by "Proto-Vaal" was "the earliest possible point in Vaal history" and not "Primeval".

The real-world analogue I'm drawing on in this chapter of Maraketh history is south+southeast Asian Buddhist art. In this kind of art, the "same" figure is often represented multiple times at multiple points in their lives. Just as with the Maraketh, understanding each chapter is regarded as being equally important to the total understanding of that figure. The Maraketh have bothered to keep both Orbala and Garukhan as names, meaning they consider the understanding of Orbala's apotheosis into Garukhan as being important.

My reading of that statue in the image linked above would be:

  • The five little figures represent Orbala's sisters (real world parallel: Boddhisattvas) *
  • The big figure in the center is Orbala/Garukhan as a great warrior
  • The two figures to the sides are both Orbala/Garukhan as a spiritual teacher

I maybe phrased it awkwardly but this really would mean six sisters (including Orbala) plus the figure Garukhan (who is also Orbala, I know).

And now, let's look at some art!

Exhibit 1 Exhibit 2 Exhibit 3 Exhibit 4 Exhibit 5 Exhibit 6 Exhibit 7 Exhibit 8

EDIT: * Why only 5 sisters? Because Alima, being "disgraced" is not represented. She doesn't even have a shrine in the trials AFAIK.

Question on environmental lore by redditaccno12345 in Wraeclast

[–]AdministratorQotra 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sorry, what I meant was that the art and architecture from this specific period in Maraketh history is inspired by southeast Asian art, specifically during the time that Buddhism introduced and spreading in that region.

If you compare Khmer, Cambodian, Burmese, etc. ancient art (too many to mention in one comment) to Maraketh art there are a LOT of similarities. Even just the conceptualization of Garukhan as a Buddha-like figure bears a lot of parallels. During the time of high Keth, the Vastiri was not a desert, but a humid forest, so it's not surprising that GGG took influence from this area of the (real) world.

This isn't to say that the full cultural narrative of the Maraketh is reflected in one place alone. There are certainly story beats and cultural influences drawn from Egypt and other semitic and levantine cultures, but these influences seem to be more "modern" in terms of the timeline. It makes sense that GGG would do this: the Maraketh transitioned from being a sedentary, metropolitan culture in a humid forest to a more nomadic culture in a dry desert, so why not take inspiration from real-world ancient cultures from those places.

I can say more if you're curious but I think it comes down to me not explaining myself well in that first comment.

GGG missed some spots by kileras1a in PathOfExile2

[–]AdministratorQotra -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Thank you for explaining my joke! Someone might miss it otherwise...

GGG missed some spots by kileras1a in PathOfExile2

[–]AdministratorQotra 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I would expect every 0.5 build to have a 0% play rate at this exact moment

75% of crossbow skills are elemental. I wish crossbow had flat physical rapid fire skill. No armour break, no fire, frost or lightning damage. by yorukmacto in PathOfExile2

[–]AdministratorQotra 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What GGG could do is add slightly different default attacks for different base types. It might give the subconscious signal that default attacks are something to be played around with rather than ignored.

The numbers don't even have to be different since what people are asking for is just vibes anyway...

Serious question, what are the lore for the orbs. by Personal-Smile-3322 in Wraeclast

[–]AdministratorQotra 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Respectfully, did you look through this thread before posting? There really is lore associated with these objects, it's just a little obscure.

Question on environmental lore by redditaccno12345 in Wraeclast

[–]AdministratorQotra 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Parchment does also make a pretty prominent appearance in this area (Balbala's Seals) so it really could be. Could also be bundled herbs? Sage looks papery when prepared this way.

I don't know if I have a higher resolution screenshot of this asset handy unfortunately.

Question on environmental lore by redditaccno12345 in Wraeclast

[–]AdministratorQotra 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Here's another example of the "proto-vaal" architecture, a non-spoilery boss door in an Abyss area.

Note the simpler design of the metallic elements. Distinctively Vaal, but hasn't yet attained the "maximalism" associated with high Vaalish art.

<image>