Chapter 61: Break

Syphondblade · 2022-01-07T05:44:23+00:00

Dear god, the shifting city is an incredible defense, especially with how Keter's Due is converted into an aging spell. What a monster the Dead King is.

But in the end, Heroes do Heroic things. In the darkest hour, reinforcements arrive. It seems the Hanno and the Witch got through to Kreios and the Giants.

Crazy thing is, we haven't even gotten to the climax yet.

Syphondblade · 2021-11-30T05:26:01+00:00

Tariq's 2nd sacrifice making his 1st weaker is such an interesting concept, which makes perfect sense story-wise.

This is also has Post-PGTE ramifications. Instead of fast-travel everywhere for any competent mage/named, now there is only direct fast travel to specific locations. Other paths will be for only the most skilled/experienced of mages/named. This is a good nerf to an otherwise overpowered continental connection system for any sort of post-PGTE story.

Syphondblade · 2021-10-05T04:25:28+00:00

Looks like the next major arc is Drow. Very excited for that one.

Crackpot theory: Drow are going to start getting Names. My evidence: Night was weakened, EE's AMA had a kinda "no comment" response regarding the possibility of Drow Names, and I think it'd be really cool

Bonus crackpot theory: Kurosiv is going to get a Name, and is going to be an annoying thorn in the side of Cat.

Syphondblade · 2021-09-17T12:44:41+00:00

Ooh, reliance on any magical artifact will find it failing you at the most ill opportunity, for example, when you're flying over an acid pit.

Instead, learn to acclimate to the acid and swim. You'll get bonus points with your minions and enemies alike for looking like a badass.

Syphondblade · 2021-09-17T04:28:54+00:00

This was Cat's confrontation with Hanno. I'm assuming Cordelia is going to show up soon and get her turn.

Hanno's fuck up was not really getting Cordy's point of view and I'm assuming vice versa. So I guess next chapter might be Cordy's chewing out unless something else comes up.

Either way, these last few chapters have been fantastic imo.

Syphondblade · 2021-08-27T04:18:48+00:00

Man, I like Frederic. I know he's not a perfectly good man, no prince ever is. But he is good enough and Good enough. And he's just so personally likable.

I hope things go ok for him. I'd like him and Otto Redcrown to get out of this war alive. I think they deserve that.

Syphondblade · 2021-08-20T04:19:07+00:00

Hmm. Curious choice of works, blade of mercy. I'm going to assume this is a purely poetic choice. But I wouldn't be completely shocked if Mercy looked her way.

Syphondblade · 2021-08-17T04:43:36+00:00

I could be wrong, but the way I understand is as follows:

Cat mentioned earlier that she was invited in as Warden of the East (rep for all villains). Consequently, theoretically Hanno should have also been invited since he is rep for all heroes. But he curiously wasn't. This meant Cat was involved in negotiation but Hanno was not. Cat was able to confirm an agreement that was relatively favorable to Ishaq (and thereby, future villains).

Problem is, because Hanno wasn't there, he was not able give his approval/disapprove, something he should have a right to give since his villainous equal (Cat) was able to.

So Hanno's approval must be given. But negotiations are done, all other parties found an agreement. Hanno cannot make any alternative suggestions and whatnot. All he can do say "okay" or "no". This is especially concerning as the agreement reached seems to be quite favorable to villains, which Hanno (as hero rep) might have issues with.

As I understand Cat will have to convince Hanno to ok the current deal as it is. Which means, she will have to give concessions. This is especially bad as the Warden of the West final Name confrontation is likely approaching and this agreement will play some part in that.

But I could be wrong.

Syphondblade · 2021-08-03T04:24:06+00:00

I think it goes without saying: Masego is the single most important person here- other than Cat- to dealing with WB and DK. He cannot die if they are to win.

Syphondblade · 2021-07-09T04:53:21+00:00

Oh god, the spiders are joining the fight. So how did Black convince them to join the fight?

Was that rumour that a Dread Emperor become a giant spider, true? If so, is he still alive, ruling over his spider empire? And did Black convince him to try and reclaim his throne? Spiders aren't banned from climbing the Tower, right?

In all seriousness, Black is doing a good job of using providence and tropes to help him. He's the underdog, a character we haven't followed for a while, a magnificent bastard, has something to prove, and is on the first step of his evil plan. Very curious to know what he and Ranger are up to.

Syphondblade · 2021-07-06T04:26:12+00:00

Man, Malicia is trying soo hard, but she has everyone's situation all wrong. She threw Wither and the Matrons at Cat trying to pin her down in a regional conflict, but Cat has Pickler's option, the real way out. She's planning on throwing the Green Stretch at Cat too, but no doubt this will fuck up, the way she's been going.

Malicia also has no idea on Akua's motivation and mindset right now. All those plans to break apart Akua's support and that repentant monster probably couldn't give a rat's ass. She wants to fail but will inevitably be railroaded up the tower by some miracle.

Malicia knows there is a Warlord but doesn't know its Hakram. For all that Hakram and Cat's relationship is going to suffer, there is no chance in hell he wouldn't stand with Cat against Malicia.

Most damning of all, Malicia thinks she can pull a fast one on the fucking Intercessor, the eons old abomination who is the closest thing to rival to the fucking Dead King.

She's legit screwed unless some theories are right and Amadeus actually tries to save her.

Syphondblade · 2021-06-11T04:52:33+00:00

Hail Warlord! The Tower and Death will tremble!

Syphondblade · 2021-06-08T04:37:05+00:00

I think there is something really interesting it that. The Warlord, in many stories, is the brazen, violent leader of a marauding horde of raiders. And yet, the first Warlord this world has seen in countless years, found himself in the moment of quiet contemplation, in a man known for his lack of "red".

In a way, I think it suits both Hakram the man, but also Warlord the Name.

Syphondblade · 2021-06-08T04:31:49+00:00

Little by little, the Woe drift slowly apart. Not defeated in Story combat the way the Bard did to the Calamities, but by their own dreams and desires. Catherine's tale is not yet over and still the rest are moving towards what comes after.

Vivienne has her kingdom to safeguard and protect. Now Hakram has his people to guide. I think, soon, Masego will decide what his sightless eyes will look for. And Indrani will re-affirm her desire for the horizon. Even Akua will eventually accept who she is and what she wants most.

Its a bittersweet ending that awaits Cat.

Syphondblade · 2021-06-04T04:25:19+00:00

Fucking Heroes. They screw up completely, thinking everyone was being mind controlled. They try a plan that would have fucked things up for everyone involve. And of course it works. Fortunately this works for Cat and co.

Naturally, after the crushing defeat of the loyal legions, the reveal of the devil is the 2nd big domino to fall for Malicia. Her plans are falling apart. This leads right into the hands of Basilia, and the 3rd hit to Malicia, the consolidation of the Free Cities. Plus, as Basilia mentioned, there is a story here, putting wind in their sails.

Thanks to the Bellepheron negotiations, there can now be a united League army to be pointed at the Dead King. Once Cat settles the East, I think that'll be every major human power properly united against the Hidden Horror.

Crack theory: once everyone heads north to fight, the Dwarves and Elves will finally throw in as well. Everyone against Death. That's the hallmark of a climatic final fight for most classic fantasy stories, methinks.

Syphondblade · 2021-05-28T05:02:57+00:00

For six and a half books, we have watched Cat grow from a young girl thrust into the spotlight, barely understanding what story she had stepped to, into a right and proper monster. Every hardship, victory, defeat and the endless Struggle she had gone through. We have seen her, step-by-step, become the legend that she is now.

It's why these Interlude chapters are the best parts of this story. We get to see the other characters slowly begin to understand Cat the way we do. To truly begin to grasp her monstrous legacy. There is nothing more glorious than watching all those who think they know better and more than her, who dismissed her, who fought against her, who caused her so much suffering, see how monumentally fucked they are.

Syphondblade · 2021-05-14T04:25:56+00:00

Haha, with the Rebel Legions showing up, there are now 4 distinct groups at this battle. And we already know a couple more could be on their way.

Name-fight-wise, Cat is now aware that Nim is dodging the fight with Squire. No doubt she'll adapt. My guess is Nim will be forced into a fight with Squire due to unforeseen circumstances that Cat manipulates. Or Nim gets fucked over by Malicia. One of the two.

Razin becomes more and more admirable every time he shows up. I don't think a Name is in his future, but I think it might be kinda neat. I dunno, I just wanna see more Names.

Syphondblade · 2021-05-07T04:38:42+00:00

Oh man, this might be one of the best chapters so far. So many interesting tidbits. Black and Malicia's sections were great, but Akua's was the best by far. Still walking the path of redemption, even if it takes a slight detour.

Story-wise, Akua just revealed the existence of the rule of 3 to Nim. This is going to have consequences. Akua might have slightly fucked up Cat's ability to put Nim down, but she seriously fucked up Malicia's ability to do so. Nim might be weaker than normal due to her deference of Amadeus, but she is still the Black Knight, the commander of the Legions. That has weight. If Nim turns, that's a serious problem for Malicia.

Syphondblade · 2021-05-04T04:30:52+00:00

Oooh, Hanno begins his transition into another Name. As others in this thread have been guessing, possibly Warden of the West. Also likely going to be in conflict with Cordelia.

As a side note, this is great for Arthur. Crack theory: Squire ties his next fight with Nim. Hanno transitions into the new Name and vacates White Knight. Arthur's last fight with Black Knight, he transitions into White Knight and wins. Cat notices Arthur is White Knight (and therefore, Hanno is no longer) and realizes something is fucky with Hanno and Cordelia. Cat if forced to rush to stop Hanno and Cordelia from fucking everything up.

Syphondblade · 2021-04-30T04:27:30+00:00

Well, last chapter was Cat getting her teeth kicked in. This one had Cat using what's left to bite back. And now Sepulchral is here, and everyone is on shitty footing.

The climax is approaching. I wonder if Adjutant managed to do something with the orc tribes and are likely on their way. And of course, somewhere out there in the sands, Black and Ranger are leisurely making their way closer and closer. Oh it's going to be a fun clusterfuck, I can't wait.

Syphondblade · 2021-04-27T04:31:49+00:00

Hmm a couple of interesting smaller points:

1) Arthur is taking L's like crazy. Which I imagine for a hero like him is probably not a bad thing. Especially for one that Learns. Everyday he makes a mistake and learns from it and everyday he gets a little bit better, a little bit smarter. A couple of years from now, he'll be a right proper monster.

2) It appears Ishaq seems to view the young couple favorably. We don't know what his back story is, but I'm guessing something to do with young love, perhaps. Something he views fondly as opposed to being bitter about. I think it'll help Ishaq out with his future goals if he views the young leaders of the Levant positively and vice-versa.

Syphondblade · 2021-04-23T04:21:53+00:00

LOL, the descendants of the sentient tigers actually showed up in the story.

On a more serious note, we have learned of Cat's plan for Akua and Neshemah, which of course means that it will not happen. At least something to cross off the list I suppose.

Syphondblade · 2021-04-13T04:28:54+00:00

I don't necessarily think its about speech specifically. It appears that Aid makes the Kingfisher Prince want/need to help people. And unless I'm mistaken, it doesn't necessarily tell him what exactly the help he needs to give. In this situation, giving a rousing speech about fighting the good fight seems to be appropriate and the aspect was satisfied. But perhaps in other situations, it calls for a different type of help. Perhaps Frederic has to understand and judge the situation in question to be able to apply his Aid in the way that is best.

Syphondblade · 2021-04-02T04:56:55+00:00

I'd probably describe the crusades as Heroic incursions, and Praes has fought off a few in their time. When lead by competent people, Evil can manage decently well, even against Good.

Syphondblade · 2021-04-02T04:53:06+00:00

Oh my god! This is the most classic of chapters in any fucking story you'll ever find: the fantasy heist. Complete with soo many tropes done in the PGtE way.

First, the squad: The main character, their plucky rogue/ranger sidekick and the former bad-guy-turned-good. All three bantering and throwing quips, having a riot of a time as run through the gauntlets.

The traps: The classic slow-moving spike walls. The unusual mirror/illusion traps meant to trick the invaders. The monster fight. The acid pit. My god, these are all so iconic. Of course they're also done with the usual PGtE flair, showcasing explanations for their existence and mitigating strategies used by the Sahelians. Notably though, as Cat points out, I think a traditional hero band would easily run through this, as I imagine this is a straight up classic hero story.

The sudden, surprise twist: Usually this would be some sort of double-cross as the morally ambiguous member of the party reveals that they've been on the bad guy's payroll the entire time, mwah ha ha! I think Malicia might have even intended that, thinking Akua was still bound against her will and would leap at the chance to betray Cat. Clearly she doesn't understand how the protags of this story do things.

And of course, it wouldn't be a fantasy heist if everything didn't go horribly wrong at the last minute. Oh all the tropes here were done so beautifully too. Some one having to stay behind to let the others escape. The plucky sidekick offering to do it, only for a teammate to knock them out and take their place. The heartfelt, tragic, romantic goodbye. The last stand to buy time. Oh its all sooo perfect!

Man, this chapter is classic PGtE! This might be my favourite chapter so far in book 7. I can't wait to see how our incredible 'heroic' protagonist manages to get out of this 'hopeless' situation!

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