Targeted Tragedy

If you have a moment, Forename, Geode wants to take stock of the current crisis.

Oblivion may be lacking the finer details in certain areas, so we'd like you to lend your perspective to the conversation.

Start of cutscene.

Sorry to drag you into our meeting, but we need to get a better handle on the threats Alexandria is facing right now.

Not at all. Much has happened since the state funeral, and a clearer idea of where things stand would be beneficial for us as well.

First things first, then─let's discuss the state of the machine malfunctions.

Every single sector reported instances of sentries attacking citizens without provocation, and vehicles suddenly becoming unresponsive to controls.

And while these malfunctions were resolved fairly quickly, they nevertheless resulted in a considerable number of injuries and deaths...

Wuk Lamat

But you haven't heard anything about new incidents since then, right?

Right. No additional reports have been logged, as far as I know. That's the good news.

The bad news is, I tried to take control of the soldiers when they started hurting people, but they wouldn't listen to me─even though I have the king's authority.

Once things calmed down, I was finally able to make them give up their weapons. But...if it happens again, I don't know if they'll ignore me like before.

The King of Resolve's authority is about the highest there is. Who is this man that can override it with such impunity?

Calyx... He lived in the age of the Storm Surge, as I did.

Lest you forget, he was known for his advancements in electrope technology, and it was he who established Preservation for the purpose of furthering his research.

The wasting disease which afflicted him, however, was said to leave him scant years left to live... He must have chosen to undergo conversion into an Endless, that he might continue his efforts into the present day.

Preservation's early goals seemed noble enough─exploring treatments for levin sickness, designing Everkeep's core system, that sort of thing.

Why harm the people he was ostensibly trying to help...?

I do not pretend to fully understand Calyx's motivations... Only that he appeared incensed by what he saw as mankind's failings.

He asserted that the strategy of adapting our species through generational succession was outdated; that evolution now requires us to forsake bodies of flesh in favor of eternal preservation.

We've already seen how he's employed the simulant to convince Alexandrians that Endless conversion is their only hope for survival.

Eternal life is “assured” for the five thousand who register their neo regulators...

But this is merely one part of Calyx's greater plan.

He wants the key to interdimensional fusion. With that relic in his possession, he will draw aether from the reflections, and expand his efforts to create Endless a thousandfold.

If we mean to foil Calyx's schemes, then our only option is to determine where he's hiding and put him down.

Which, unfortunately, is easier said than done. I've been scouring the terminal we found in the depths of Everkeep, but I've failed to uncover even the slightest trace of his activities.

Give me a little more time, though, and I'm sure I can sniff him out.

I'll help you!

While Gulool Ja and Shale are working on that, I think I'm going to take a look around town.

I want to make sure no new problems have cropped up, as well as search for any information that might lead us to Calyx.

You're welcome to come along. Another “malfunction” could happen at any time, and I'd be glad to have some brawlers at my back.

Count me in!

Raha and the others are helping Oblivion patrol the other levels of the keep, so shall we stick to the streets of Solution Nine?

Sounds like a plan. Thanks, you two, I appreciate the company!

Wuk Lamat

I have to speak with the city's administrators about bringing in the Landsguard. I want our soldiers around to protect those who're moving to Tuliyollal.

Alphinaud and Alisaie will be joining me for the meeting, so the three of us can cover that sector as soon as we're done!

If I may...

I'd like to join Forename's group, if you'll have me?

The more mouths to ask questions, the merrier. As long as you're aware of the dangers.

Thank you! I'll do my best not to be a burden.

I'm more worried about you, Geode. Don't do anything stupid.

Pfft, you'll change your tune once we get back with the goods on Calyx. Then the drinks are on you!

Come on, let's continue this outside.

End of cutscene.

Optional dialogue

I wish I could grow up faster... There'll be so much more I can do when I'm bigger like you.

Good luck with your patrol, and take your time. We can do without Geode until you're done with the old sot.

Ah, sorry. Just when I think I've internalized better manners, talking with Geode brings back all the old bad habits.

Genolt

Seems the machines've gone quiet again, so I can get back to maintainin' the weapons around here. Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst, as they say!

Speak with Geode outside the Neon Stein.

Optional dialogue

I will do my utmost to ensure the happiness of Alexandria and its people...

The city looks as though it's regained a sense of normalcy. Alas, the people will not soon forget recent events...

Disquieted Citizen

I finally got my hands on a neo regulator─and then came this close to crashing into a hover cargo!

The day I become Endless can't come soon enough... I only hope I live that long.

Start of cutscene.

...Sorry, I was off in my own little world! Shall we get started?

What will you say?

The people seem uneasy.

They do, and can't say as I blame them.

Are you all right, Geode?

Me...? I'm well enough, given the circumstances.

Let's see what there is to see!

Right you are. It's time we took some action.

It was the queen's fondest wish that her subjects remain shielded from the horrors of death. And so they were for the longest time.

Then, the moment mortality once again becomes an unavoidable fact of life, they're greeted with an outbreak of bloody violence.

Many are bound to give the Endless alternative serious consideration.

Indeed, and I do not blame them for that. It is only natural that such thoughts should come to mind.

What I cannot forgive is the way Calyx wields fear and misery to manipulate people into making that choice.

No one─not Calyx, nor anyone else─should dictate how we cope with the specter of death.

As one who lived as an Alexandrian, I wish to put the choices for this country's future back into the hands of its citizens.

And you think we can handle that responsibility? After everything you've seen of us?

It is what I've seen that has convinced me you can.

I awoke four centuries later to find our people living and laughing beneath Alexandria's banner. Though surprised and bewildered, I was overjoyed to see it so. You all deserve to be happy...

...Well, then.

We'd best not let you down!

Now, I suggest we move as a group─we don't know if or when a battle might find us.

Oh. I believe someone came prepared for just such an eventuality.

Is that the grimoire you retrieved from the old castle?

Yes, my parents gifted it to me when I was a child. They were adamant that I should learn to protect the things important to me.

I was fortunate enough to have a tutor in the arcane arts, so I lay claim to some small measure of skill.

If that's the case, it might be better if we split into two groups after all. 'Twould certainly be more efficient for information gathering!

I, uh... I guess that makes sense?

The two of you can take the west side of the recreation zone, then.

Forename and I will take the east.

Very well. We shall end our patrol in the plaza just past True Vue and await you there.

End of cutscene.

Optional dialogue

My grimoire is inlaid with electrope in a manner which augments arcane power. It should prove a useful tool.

I'll keep my eyes and ears open. Any information could be helpful, no matter how seemingly insignificant.

Speak with Geode and have him accompany you.

Let's do the rounds, then. We'll see what's what, and chat to the people we meet along the way.

Pay special attention to anyone who looks overwhelmed or overly excited. Hopefully that will earn us a tidbit or two we didn't know before.

Optional dialogue

Small talk.

I'm guessing you would've preferred to go with Sphene and Krile, but I'm afraid you're stuck with me. I grow on people, though, I promise.

Part ways.

Need to step away? Fair enough. I'll wait for you outside the Neon Stein.

Regrouping after parting ways.

Ready to head out again?

Conversation Point

(X:19.5, Y:17.0): Discuss True Vue.

Ah, the memories... I used to drink around here all the time.

I made sure not to overdo it when I had work the next day, but once we were past the busy season─or when the ladies weren't amenable to my company─well... You'd have to scrape me off the street outside in the morning. Or afternoon.

The worst I ever got was on what should have been the worst day of my life...if only I could remember it. I was still wearing a regulator back then.

It was also the day I first met Shale, although I guarantee she's forgotten it completely.

Light-hearted Citizen

Optional dialogue

Speaking to NPC without Geode

Light-hearted Citizen

There, it's done!

You may learn something of interest here. Return with Geode at your side.

Light-hearted Citizen

What has me in such a fine mood, you ask?

Well, I've just registered my new regulator. I was leery of becoming nothing but memories at first, but now that I've gone through with the registration, I've never felt more at ease!

Also, once it was done, the regulator displayed the current numbers. Of the five thousand slots available, over thirty-eight hundred have already been filled.

So if you're still hesitant, you've not much time to make your mind up. Mark my words, friend: when there's only a few slots left, it's going to get very ugly.

Optional dialogue

Light-hearted Citizen

We'll be seeing fights over neo regulators in the very near future. Should you get one, I suggest you register right away.

Somber Citizen

Optional dialogue

Speaking to NPC without Geode

Somber Citizen

<sigh>

You may learn something of interest here. Return with Geode at your side.

Somber Citizen

Are the sentries and air-wheelers safe to be around now?

I just know it's going to happen again...and maybe next time I'll be the one who dies in a horrible accident.

I need a neo regulator. Becoming Endless is the only way─even Queen Sphene said so!

Optional dialogue

Somber Citizen

But how to get one...? Maybe I can convince someone who's unsure to give me theirs.

Grieving Citizen

Optional dialogue

Speaking to NPC without Geode

Grieving Citizen

You look familiar...

You may learn something of interest here. Return with Geode at your side.

Grieving Citizen

You want to hear my story? While I appreciate you offering a sympathetic ear, there's not much to tell...

If you must know, a good friend of mine died when those machines went crazy. His air-wheeler dropped right out of the sky, and he didn't survive the crash.

Damn fool wasn't wearing a regulator... I know that's not so strange these days, but he'd never bothered with one.

He was at peace with the idea of dying someday, and I thought I understood what that meant. Until it happened...

Optional dialogue

Grieving Citizen

We used to forget people after they died. No memories. No grief. I'm not sure if we'd be better off if that was still the case.

After talking to all NPCs

Forename, a word?

I feel like there was a new factor in these stories we've heard. One we hadn't considered during our discussion with everyone in the Backroom...

What will you say?

That people are still deathly afraid?

That's a point of concern, don't get me wrong, but I think we were acutely aware of it already...

Back to option selection.

That fights are likely to break out over the neo regulators?

The fact that nearly four thousand people have registered is worthy of its own report. But are you sure there wasn't anything else...?

Back to option selection.

That a victim of the violence wasn't wearing a regulator?

Quest proceeds.

Yes, that's it!

The vast majority of residents have always worn regulators, so it's not a detail we'd normally think about. With the supply of souls cut off, though, more and more people have been going without them...

We need to look into the casualties from the recent attacks, and check whether or not they were equipped with regulators.

Let's ask around on the street over to the east. It was pretty chaotic at the time, but maybe we'll find eyewitnesses who can help us confirm if this was a pattern or not.

Gather more information while Geode is accompanying you.

Optional dialogue

Aside from Oblivion members, only a handful of people used to go out and about without regulators. How times have changed.

Conversation Point

(X:21.7, Y:15.8): Discuss the hover cargo.

It was once my job to deliver goods by hover cargo. That's why I know a fair number of names and faces throughout the city.

The little ones who'd jump for joy when I brought them packages... The old lady who'd always greet me with a smile... I'd hate for anything bad to happen to them.

Unarmed Sentry

Unarmed Sentry

Hello, how are you today? Please let me know if I may be of service.

...City-wide casualty data unavailable. Government officials are currently processing reports from all affected zones.

Unsettled Sanitation Worker

Can you narrow it down to the recreation zone, then? You must have some estimates on hand?

Unarmed Sentry

Recalibrating parameters. Injured: Eighty-seven individuals. Casualties: Nineteen individuals.

Casualties equipped with regulators: Zero.

Optional dialogue

Unarmed Sentry

Please remain calm: I am under orders to ensure the safety of our citizens. In the unlikely event of another mass malfunction, I will act to subdue any affected machines.

Unsettled Sanitation Worker

I'm too scared of the sentries to clean anywhere near them...

You may learn something of interest here. Return with Geode at your side.

Unsettled Sanitation Worker

You wish to know if the people who died in the machine rampage were wearing regulators?

I'm sorry, but I was assigned to clearing away debris. I didn't see any of the deceased.

No bodies were present by the time I arrived, so I assume the ushers had already done their work...

I do remember there being patches of white dust scattered about that were quite a chore to clean up, but nothing else worthy of mention.

Optional dialogue

Unsettled Sanitation Worker

It's terrifying to think that death might be waiting for us around every corner. But what can you do but keep working and hope for the best...?

After talking to all NPCs

...Forename. I think it's time we rejoined Krile and Sphene.

I was half-joking with my boast to Shale, but we may have stumbled upon something major here. We should share our findings and keep pursuing this avenue of inquiry.

Didn't Krile say to meet them in the plaza just outside of True Vue? Let's get going.

Speak with Krile while Geode is accompanying you.

Optional dialogue

Small talk

Come on, we should meet Krile and Sphene at the plaza. Can't say I'm thrilled to have Shale owe me a drink over something like this...

Regrouping after parting ways

Shall we go find Krile and Sphene, then?

If Geode is not accompanying you

...Is Geode not with you?

Oh? Did Geode have something else to attend to?

You should have Geode accompanying you before sharing your findings.

If Geode is accompanying you

We've finished our patrol as well. Did it not seem that more people wanted neo regulators than before...?

Start of cutscene.

So, essentially, you're saying that the people who were killed by malfunctioning machines weren't wearing regulators!?

Well, the numbers are still tentative, and only apply to that one zone. We don't know how they'll stack up against the overall data, but...this is definitely more than a coincidence.

I think it's safe to say that anyone who had removed their regulator was a priority target.

Now that you mention it, the person I was treating for injuries wasn't wearing one either...

But, why? Why are they being targeted over everyone else?

Based solely on the lack of a neo regulator, we cannot judge if a person has no desire to become Endless, or if they simply failed to acquire one of the limited devices.

But those who wear no regulator at all...

They have clearly rejected the old system of using souls to revive themselves.

Put another way, they have chosen to live their lives in the knowledge that death is an inevitability.

The chances that such resolute people would wish to become Endless are far lower, I would imagine.

And so Calyx has chosen those least likely to accept his vision as victims to stoke fear and panic...

But there was no need to kill anyone!

With the way things were, the people were already fearful enough─he could have found five thousand willing citizens without all this madness!

You make a good point. Perhaps this sowing of terror is in service to another scheme, or he had some other need for the lives he's taken...

What will you say?

What of the dust found at various sites?

Right, the sanitation worker's story. She saw no bodies, but mentioned piles of white dust...

Could something have been done to the victims?

I wonder... What about that sanitation worker's story? She saw no bodies, but mentioned piles of white dust...

Dust, but no bodies? Now where have I heard that before...

Do you recall when we went to save Erenville from the sentries in the outskirts? That usher Malachite told us much the same thing.

Sphene recalls Malachite's words.

Malachite

When I arrived, I found no body. Only a pile of dust, which the wind quickly scattered.

Confused, I questioned the residents, but none knew what had become of it.

That both stories speak of missing remains is suspicious enough, but the shared mention of this dust is too much to ignore.

In that case, we should confirm if this substance was present at other sites, and attempt to ascertain its nature.

Following this thread may lead us not only to an explanation for the missing bodies, but also the intent behind Calyx's murderous actions.

The player receives a linkpearl call from Gulool Ja.

Forename, we need your help! I've lost control over the soldiers in the residential area. They might be trying to hurt people again.

Oblivion members are on their way now, but are you close enough to join them?

Dammit! Our new investigation will have to wait... Let's go!

End of cutscene.

Start of voiced cutscene.

Within the Residential Radius, the party arrives to the aftermath of a fight between an Oblivion member and two mechanical soldiers. The Oblivion member is unconscious. The soldier begins malfunctioning and limps toward a resident.

S-Stay back! Stay away from me!

Leave him alone!

Geode shoots the mechanical soldier, defeating it.

Are you alright?

What happened here?

A sentry walked into my apartment...even though I'd locked the door and everything!

I managed to run, but the man who tried to save me...

No weapons. Which is to be expected, considering all the sentries were meant to be disarmed.

Yet it was ordered to attack all the same...even if that meant using its bare hands...

I'll leave matters here to you. I'm going to do a sweep of the surrounding area.

Do you know anyone else in this sector who no longer wears a regulator?

Uh... Oh, I don't think I've seen Isadora and her boy with theirs recently...

Go to them─quickly!

Inside Isadora and Milos's apartment, Wayakke shoots and defeats an aerostat.

Wayakkwe!

Wayakkwe

I'll be fine. But Isadora's in bad shape...

Isadora is severely injured on the floor.

Mother! Mother, please...

Isadora!

Sphene heals Isadora.

Thank goodness, she wasn't struck anywhere vital...

Wayakkwe

I'm sorry... If only I'd gotten here sooner...

Everything will be all right. I promise to make your mother better.

Milos realizes the similarity between the real and Endless Sphene.

Thank you, miss...

Isadora is taken to the bed.

Will she sleep like that forever...?

No, not forever. She'll wake soon, I'm sure of it.

That's good to hear...

Thank you for saving her.

Banner Text

THE PROMISE OF TOMORROW

End of cutscene.

Speak with Wayakkwe.

Optional dialogue

She should recover in due course. I'm glad we arrived when we did...

When I was sick and couldn't move, my mother was always at my side, always keeping me company. And I'm going to do the same for her!

Why...? Why is this happening...?

I'll take care of this gentleman. Go and check on Isadora and Milos!

Wayakkwe

Forgive me, I was reckless... You shouldn't have had to waste time tending my wounds as well.

Did you see our other comrade back there? He stayed behind in the lobby, but I heard the sounds of fighting...

He... I am sorry. He must have fallen protecting the residents...

Optional dialogue