A Look at Pillars of Eternity: Part 5

Now for the next part of my look at Pillars of Eternity. Last time, Crariewan and party did their best to assist Calisca's sister, Aufra, though their efforts may not have been sufficient.

Firstly though, Crariewan and party goes to an area she has been to before to settle something.

This thing to be precise. A surmountable wall.

If I had not said it before in a previous part, I will say it here and if it did, I will say it again: I quite like these scripted interactions. Many of these parts feel like gamebooks that factor in character attributes and items possessed which in turn, allows players to feel as though their choices on the matter meant something.

Examining the wall, it becomes apparent that the wall is surmountable by an individual with the right set of skills or using the rope & grappling hook that Crariewan possesses.

Not wanting to use up the rope, Crariewan and party will attempt to surmount the wall. Now to pick the party member who will surmount it first.

Crariewan tries first. She fails. After all, she is an Orlan who is not as athletic as she appears to be.

Now for Eder, someone with points in Athletics. He succeeds.

Since he made it up first, Eder can assist in pulling the rest of the party up.

With that, Crariewan and party reaches the top. What greets them is a plant and a corpse.

A corpse with this item on it. The attribute boost is useful.

Now to hunt for the blacksmith's shipment.

After bypassing the forest troll...

Man, this game still looks good. Not realistic good but good in its own way (I am not sure how to describe this kind of aesthetic).

More Watcher visions.

Some Wichts.

Along with something of Fulvano.

Looks like Crariewan and co has found the cart. But where's the shipment?

Now to investigate this path.

Which turns out to be occupied. By hostile bandits.

Looks like the wagon delivering the blacksmith's shipment got attacked by these bandits. At least they had not found the time to sell off said shipment .

Here is a note found on one of the bandits.

Now to hand in the shipment.

A reputation boost and experience as rewards? Okay...

Oh and a... door? Uh... thanks I guess?

From the look of that crashed wagon, it is possible that they got killed off by those bandits so Crariewan will go for that option.

Depends. Will Crariewan be compensated for all expenses during her deliveries? If no, then tough luck.

Cool, hopefully new weapons will be available.

Now to look at the door we got. It is a shield... apparently. It comes with an ability equipped at least.

Now to have a chat with Durance.

Now for questions about the region and its history.

His view on the Hollowborn.

So he is in opposition to animancy? Noted.

Wow... so you have killed soulless infants?

Yeah... On one hand, the Hollowborn are soulless vessels with no form of individuality or sapience. On the other hand, the Hollowborn are still living beings and probably would be were it not for the Hollowborn curse.

At least you'd rather focus such attacks against the perpetrators rather than the Hollowborn. So, who are to blame in your opinion? 

Ah... well now we have to disagree there. Or rather the writer rather than Crariewan.

So punish by association? Thanks. I will be sure to invite you for my next witch hunt.

Mercy equals murder? Do elaborate.

Hmm... this is probably what happens if reincarnation becomes a proven fact. Or rather one possibility.

Okay...

Does this count as self-flagellation or immolation? The burning of one self's to commit to memory...

Soul branding and Purges? I suddenly wonder why would Crariewan think moving to the Dyrwood is a good idea?

Okay... moving on...

Now to ask about the connection between the Hollowborn and the Godhammer.

So two theories on the source of the Hollowborn.

Now to find out about the Saint's War.

Gods walking around and causing wars? Go on...

So there was a version of Durance that was younger but just as dirty?

So a man gets possessed by a god and winds up leading an army to conquer a different nation. That apparently happened.

Now, do not take this the wrong way but how do I know I can trust your words on this?

Whenever a man claims to be a god in flesh, it usually does not end well.

The problem of having one's religious beliefs validated by the god incarnating... is what one would do with such renewed faith.

Noted.

Now for the explanation on the Godhammer.

So the people of Eora have successfully killed a god... Or rather, a god in human form.

So gods taking flesh has happened in this world? Good to know...

Eothas must regret using Waidwen as his vessel based on how people claimed to have suffered due to the Saint's War.

Now I want to see how the Godhammer looked like.

So it was more like a trip mine than a simple big bomb?

Go on.

Go on.

That is quite a bit of shrapnel to prepare.

I wonder what was the Godhammer made of.

That has got to be embarrassing for Eothas. No wonder Crariewan gave up on her religion.

So answer on atrocity with another?

Yikes...

So let us never mention to Durance that Crariewan is an Eothasian. Though technically she is not, on account of being an atheist and all.

And that is all we can get out of Durance for now.

Now to rest up.

More dreams of the Pillars.

Now for more Durance.

Now for his thoughts on animancy.

Wow... Durance is trying way too hard to make Crariewan despise him.

Deserved it? Do elaborate.

As one can tell, Durance is a character not meant to be liked for his personality. I like the story around him, I like having a different personality type in my group. I just do not like the guy.

Do not worry; any failings Crariewan spots would probably be deflected by all the filth covering you, Durance.

One thing to note is that the Dyrwood is regarded like the New World (or rather pre-colonized America).

I recall this was mentioned before.

So Durance believes the problem may not be a result of Waidwen's death.

Now for Durance's thoughts on the Vailian Republics.

Noted.

His thoughts on the local tribes.

Now for Durance's opinions on Readceras.

Noted.

Durance's distaste for Readceras is apparent.

Even Aloth has caught onto it.

Okay.

Noted.

Now to ask a bit more on Magran.

Now for her allies.

Since Crariewan was a cleric of Eothas, it is not wrong to assume her knowledge of other gods at least.

So gods tend to die quite a bit in this world? Noted.

I dunno, Durance. A body like that would be a lot cleaner than yours right now.

Now for Galawain.

Now for elaborations on Galawain.

Ah... this again. It repeats the earlier conversation so I did not feel the need to screencap those bits again.

Now to explore a bit. That bridge looks interesting.

New area. New stuff to find. Old enemies to face.

Looks like someone is in need of aid.

Time to speak to the person and see what is the matter.

So I guess this means that a route into the big city has been blocked off.

That is an inconvenience.

Could you elaborate on the cipher courting?

Ah... that kind of misfortune.

Sounds simple enough.

Now to ask another question: How to get to Defiance Bay?

Since we are here, we may as well check out the bridge. How bad could it be?

Oh...

Well, time to check on those looters.

More looters except these are not hostile... Odd...

Hmm....

Uh oh... Since Crariewan is an honest person, looks like she has to reveal what happened to the two from before.

It sucks to be honest though it was genuine self-defense in this case.

So... refugees...

Now for the tough bit here: Crariewan is an honest person and a benevolent one as well. However, there are times when honesty and benevolence can clash.

Now the issue here is that as an honest person, Crariewan is obligated to not cover up thievery as it is against the law. On the other hand, the people here are refugees with no property of their own and allowing them to take the damaged goods could aid them survive longer. So, it becomes a conflict between honesty and benevolence, two attributes Crariewan adheres to.

In this case, benevolence won out. After all, she was honest before this so for now, Crariewan decides to be benevolent over honest.

With that, the items are taken and Crariewan is left wondering if she did the right thing.

At least Crariewan got this hat from this matter.

Now to report back to Peregund.

Now to deceive Peregund here...

Looks like Peregund would have to suffer financially for those refugees to survive...

Time to move on. To the only way to reach Defiance Bay.

Caed Nua.

Looks like someone else is here.

That must be a fascinating wall.

He seems jolly.

Names on bricks. Interesting...

Oh... he is looking for the old Watcher too?

Ah... there lies the catch.

Interesting... Go on.

Beneath the keep? Why do I get the feeling that Crariewan and party will end up going down there?

Now to make up for Crariewan's earlier deception with an honest answer.

To be fair, I would also do so if I could speak with spirits.

Ah! A new party member! After hanging out with Durance, a new companion would be a breath of fresh air (Literally with Durance in mind).

And there lies the catch for having this person with us.

Okay, person whose name has not been explicitly spoken so far.

Now to boldy go where no person ought not to go!

This is Kana. Not Kanna, Kana. He is obviously not a small dragon child.

Kana is a Chanter. His abilities lies with being able to chant verses that causes status effects and buffs during combat along with additional abilities from reciting a certain amount of verses.

As for his talents, this one seems useful.

Now to set up the new party formation.

Now to go on. Seems safe.

And again, I am proven mistaken.

This spot seems like a suitable setting to stop this look at Pillars of Eternity so here we stop. Join Crariewan next time as she and party proceeds deeper into Caed Nua. Let us hope the party does not encounter even more depressing stories...