The Ark: Alaric The...Boat?

[Mortis]

In the last episode of the radioplay, Alaric and Amarax fall into a hole in the ground created by the nonary conflux. We've spent the last two months trying to figure out where they went and none of us quite got it. Bear with me because I feel like this will run long. I think I liked this one more than the one before last. I'll leave my theory for the next episode at the bottom and try to keep my observations highlighted in blue as usual.

Note: I write this over a month ago and I just threw it into the forum post. Let me know if I have any errors or want to argue 😛 Also my first actual post since the forum update, hopefully it goes into the correct place.

 

We start with the intro, Alaric narrating the date: Calefact 15th. 

 

Alaric falls into waters that are the same as the liquid of the transformed waystones. There's planes of vapor far above and below this infinite body of water. Alaric is unable to move. He panics, casting magic blasts that ripple the water. The water otherwise doesn't move and Alaric’s hair and clothes do not float in the water. In fact, he himself is neither floating nor falling, and is simply stationary. Amarax informs him that they are in the Etheric Sea. The “water” is called ether, which is magic with no aspect. The Etheric Sea is the firmament between realms. Alaric retrieves the wisp and the soul prism from under the ether using telekinesis, the wisps movement causing ripples in the water. 

 

If the Etheric Sea is the same material as the opened waystones, then I believe the aevitaneum is a physical form of ether. When the waystone is opened by some trigger, it transforms into its magical state. 

The ether seems to be only moved by magic, shown by Alaric’s blasts and the wisp moving through it. 

The planes above and below the ether may be representative of two other realms, since the Etheric Sea is supposed to be the firmament between realms. What that means exactly, I couldn't say. 

In the next part, we see the Amarax’s ark, which is used to sail the Etheric Sea. I'm wondering if it's possible to travel using flight like bat form or magick. We finally get to see another vampire power, telekinesis. He's really starting to build his arsenal. Why wasn't the soul prism consumed when using it in the nonary conflux? We don't see the other materials here anywhere. It's either something to do with it being the last item used, or the fact the soul prism has just so much magickal energy that it can be used multiple times. I think it's the latter.

 

Amarax summons the Atanite, his ark. Arks are the ships Deadhaus uses to travel the Etheric Sea. Amarax's ark is made from dragon and an unknown stone (not aevitaneum as it would be too expensive). Dragons are both reservoirs and conduits of magick, which is “very desirable for ark construction”. Not all arks are made from dragons though, and are limited to those that can procure them. Deadhaus trades in tithes, which can be people or something else. Alaric wonders how Amarax got his hands on dragon bones. He thinks how Amarax’s power is usually something subtle. He was able to command the wisp, scare off the Thacean spirits, paralyze human Alaric, and siphon Alaric's magick as a vampire. “Always some of control…some form of manipulation, whether of mind or magick”. How he says power comes from planning, and he is cunning.

I doubt that Deadhaus is the only house that can access the Etheric Sea, so what do the other Houses use? Are they also arks, or would the Awakened have a “Dream Vessel”? Can the angels simply fly through/over the sea? 

Dragons have a lot of magick, and their bodies are probably hard to get get, so Amarax is either incredibly powerful in combat, obscenely rich, or as Alaric (and meta) says later on, he somehow convinced the dragon to give up its bones. When building an ark, it's likely the materials can't be used in the same way they are in the nonary conflux. That it can't  be representative of what form of magick you're using, but something that's innately magickal. I don't fully understand what trading in tithes means. Does an undead receive a tithe from a town they occupy, in any form, and trade that? Or do they trade control of a tithe by saying “I get 5 cows a month, but you can instead get 5 cows a month if I can have your 3 gold rings a month”. 

Alaric speaking on Amarax’s power may be more hints about what a liche can do in game. Based on what he's saying, a liche does magick that controls others and manipulates the battlefield. Power comes from planning, so the liche’s role in combat may be slower but more powerful over time. 

I think this episode is showcasing how travel between realms may work in game. You enter the Etheric Sea, take your ark to the location you want to go, then depart. I wonder if we can get combat in these ships or if we will have to navigate these magick storms. This is personally very exciting to me. 

 

Alaric speeds down to the lowest deck and finds the tithe hold, which is covered in chains and blood. His hand is orbited by a shade; a small, green, lesser manifestation of the necrotic aspect. It's because he's holding the soul prism still, and like is drawn to like. Alaric then goes back up the stairs to a deck with sarcophagi. He opens one, places the soul prism into the headdress of a corpse, and touches the eyes of it. He sees himself for a moment through its eyes, and is disturbed by the image. Amarax then transfers into the body. 

 

Alaric being kind to the shade is funny, he treats it like some pet. Also that's another form of lesser manifestations of the aspects. The wisp for primordial and the shade for necrotic.

The soul prism was for Amarax? Or was it a “get out of jail free” card? It was used to escape the wraiths and to rehome Amarax, so it got multiple uses. Though, did he already decide on the next wraith attack that he'd just let them destroy his vessel? I wonder if the soul prism is just what liches use to get into their new bodies or if it's a high-level item that makes the process easier. Something that gives the liche better stats maybe as well. 

Alaric seeing himself was probably a scare. If he looks anything like other vampires we know, he's probably ugly as all get-out. I just realized the Alaric we've been seeing in the youtube images is likely very tame compared to how he actually looks. 

Amarax’s spare vessels gives me an idea for how death may work in DHS. When a liche would normally suffer True Death in game, I imagine we will respawn from one of our phylacteries in a spare vessel we own. Bishop mentioned they'd like to see the different vessels have slightly different stats, like greater health for one, and higher speed for another. I personally love the idea for higher level play. It's fun to be able to have different play styles you can tap into, and would make the game stay fresh long after it comes out.

 

Alaric asks to be separated from Amarax, and Amarax refuses. He attacks Amarax by doing a magick blast at him, which is negated by magick shield around him. Alaric then tries to physically attack him. He gets a hold of him. Then Amarax starts laughing and transforms into a fly swarm. He reveals to Alaric that he knows about the messenger's prophecy. This more or less disarms Alaric. Amarax takes his humanoid form, while the flies return to him through his eyes and mouth.

A little bit of combat! Albeit a little one sided…since I am especially excited to be a liche in Deadhaus, this whole episode was rich with information. This part gives some information on what defense might look like for a liche. A magick shield surrounds Amarax, so liches have some defense against magickal attacks. Then he transforms into flies, to counteract getting physically attacked. I was surprised to see any kind of transformation for a liche. The flies going into his skull is disgusting and perfect. Now I'm curious how many things a liche can transform into, exactly. What is exclusive to one class or another?

 

Amarax says that he can help Alaric, but he himself cannot because he doesn't have the time or resources. Someone else would be able to protect him. Amarax manipulates Alaric to agree because he doesn't know how to leave the Etheric Sea, doesn't know when the Messenger is coming, and has no plan. He has him make a Pale Oath which is as follows: 

 

“May words to will be by the Weaver bound.

My troth avowed upon my blackened soul.

May justice swift for oath transgressed be found.

And bear me to the Weaver as my toll.

 

I, Alaric the Damned, swear that I shall serve as vessel for the archliche Amarax, 

and seek no means by which to sever this binding until such time as he sees fit to release me.”

 

The mark of Allalmawt is then burned into his hand.

 

This whole time I thought that Amarax would be enough to take on the Messenger alone, but even he can't do it at the moment. Who has the ability to protect Alaric, and who would want to? Amarax is in deep trouble with a lot of people. The pale oath is connected to Allalmawt like the pale doctrine is, so this is probably very difficult to break without getting yourself destroyed. Can this be broken by an outside influence? Like if Amarax would lose his archliche status or something of the like? Alaric may be screwed for now. 

 

Amarax explains when the prophecy is supposed to be. When the fountain swallows the sun is when the sun passes through the sign of the fountain in the month of Hiem, and Coluber passes through the sign of the seed on the 15th day. That's when the Messenger will return.

 

Going based off an older calendar I borrowed from the loremaster (thank you Varik), there is nine or ten months between the time of the radioplay and the month of Hiem. You'd think that's enough time to prepare to fight one angel, but they must either be very strong (even for an archliche) or Amarax is expecting the Messenger to return in force. Note: there is a calendar out there with corrections on it, but I decided against using it for clarity. When we get the official upgraded version I’ll fix it. 

The two go to the top deck, and Amarax places his hand on an obelisk. Green energy streams into the ship from it, causing the ark to move. There's different colored lighting that moves between the planes. Amarax explains that while the Etheric Sea is magick with no aspect, currents of aspectual magick do flow through there. 

Amarax calls out “celestial” and gold fire rains down from the upper plane.

“Psychic” and an arc of red energy comes up from the bottom plane. 

Then necrotic energy hits the ark, but does nothing, as the dead are immune to it.

Amarax knows what aspect will strike because he is attuned to the flow of magick, as Alaric is attuned to the scent of blood.

 

(b) A magickal obelisk functioning as the wheel is a cool piece of magick technology. 

I'm not at all surprised that the dead are immune to necrotic energies, but it makes me wonder what that entails. Is that ALL necrotic spells or just pure necrotic energy? What I mean is that if we're immune to pure necrotic energy, that would mean we can't damage from a blast of pure necrotic energy. But if it's ALL necrotic spells, I imagine it would be considerably more difficult to score a True Death against an undead opponent in-game. Reason being I don’t think all the classes will have easy access to other aspects of magick. Alaric was able to find a potential meal from miles away by smelling the sweet scent of the child. By Amarax saying he is attuned to magick the way vampires are attuned to blood, maybe he is able to find and discern between magicks from far away. 

Since Amarax is able to avoid the strikes by being attuned to magick, does this make other classes struggle to traverse the Etheric Sea? If so, that's an immediate advantage of choosing the liche over other classes. When traveling with other people, it would be good to bring at least one liche along. This could be the start of team formations.

 

A funnel from the top and bottom planes forms and connects, creating a large storm. They enter it. Amarax calls out a “cascade”, and directs Alaric to take the helm. Alaric does so. He observes that Amarax is like water, taking the form of whatever it is poured into. He notes that he can feel the ether beneath his wings. Alaric starts talking from the perspective of the Atanite, even referring to Alaric as another person. Amarax hovers at the front of the ark, absorbing and deflecting aspectual magick strikes, acting as a lighting rod. He redirects a crimson bolt. Then a black stream that snaked towards Alaric, which was silent and quieted the sounds of the storm. A prismatic ray strikes Amarax and the Ark, slowing them to a stop. Amarax then cracks and shatters the ray, and they proceed on. Alaric-Atanite note they go straight into the stream of green and sail along it. They know they are heading for a specific place in the storm, as they’ve taken the master there before. They note that the winds are the voice of the force that bound them forever to silent service. They enter the eye of the storm. Amarax takes Alaric off from the helm stone, and praises him for his helmsmanship. He says “you have some sort of affinity towards…I wonder…” and trails off. 

 

(b) The cascade must be where a magick storm forms and shoots out all aspects. Yet another reason to bring a liche. Alaric’s comment about Amarax being like water makes me wonder how true it is exactly. Liches have phylacteries they pour their soul fragments into, then vessels they control, and also (at least in Amarax’s case) have no trouble connecting and severing themselves from a sentient ship. Could that mean liches can use different vessels besides humans/humanoids? That would be PRETTY awesome, and bring about a lot more flexibility and cosmetics in-game. Could also be a nightmare for anyone doing fashion or the developers. 

Alaric losing himself in the Atanite was interesting. I can imagine the camera in game going from the player character to the ship itself, to mirror that change in self. I don’t think all characters have the issue of being able to separate oneself, it's likely just the people who are less attuned to magick or not used to sailing. 

The descriptions of the magick bolts through this whole episode tickled my brain. The gold celestial fire rains down, the black stream snakes towards Alaric, the ray looks as if it passed through a prism. I’m fairly certain both crimson bolts were of the psychic aspect, the black bolt is of the abyssal aspect, and the prismatic bolt is temporal. 

We know here that Amarax is going somewhere he’s familiar with. What is the Atanite talking about with the winds? I think it’s either that magick is what forced it to become a ship, or necrotic magick specifically did. Or, the winds themselves are caused by something else and that’s what it means. I’m leaning more towards the first. This could mean that you cannot simply put dragon bones on your ark, but it must be added through magick. 

Amarax is thinking more about what could be special about Alaric and/or his blood. I don’t remember what I said before on current theories or where, but I’ll put them again. 

 

Alaric himself is special. He was able to create and control the wights. He’s been able to escape every encounter with undead as mortal. He became the grand inquisitor. 

 

Alaric’s vampire blood was from a powerful and highly magickal bloodline. 

That bloodline became that way through normal means (practicing magick and training) or by collecting pieces of the apocryphal Necroliberatas.

 

Alaric’s contact with Amarax for the last three years has caused some of that magick to rub off on him.

 

The ship begins to approach their destination; a massive octahedron that is so dark, it doesn’t reflect any color from the surroundings. Amarax states that this is the Temple of Anu Maht, a waystation between realms. Inside, there’s an artifact to help them on their quest. He also says whoever built the temple also built the waystones, and it has always been here. Amarax then draws a spiral shape in the air, brings his hands down, and causes darkness to fall on the ship. Everything becomes quiet there as well. Alaric notices other arks entering and leaving the temple, and that they always come through the storm from the green band. Amarax has Alaric enter alone, as he must stay to conceal Atanite. He uses magick to open a part of the temple, the stone which has geometric markings when hit. Alaric then enters. 

 

 I got so excited when I saw the octahedron on the youtube radioplay. From my understanding, this is the first time it’s appeared on screen in any capacity. 

The darkness of the temple reminded Calypso of Vantablack, a super dark material that seemingly absorbs all light entering it. After he mentioned it, that’s exactly what I thought too. 

What artifact is Amarax looking for? With how crazy the radioplays are getting, it could be anything. I’ll still try to guess anyway

Amarax needs something to protect himself and Alaric against the wraiths. The wraiths are still after them, and the last encounter was almost the end of Alaric and Amarax. 

Amarax is pretty powerful, but as weak and clumsy as Alaric is, he’s going to have a hard time against groups of people . Something to give Alaric a power boost would even their odds.

Amarax will still need to convince this mysterious person to help them. This artifact may be something to bring them to his side. 

Traveling is a hassle, but if there is an item to make it easier, it may be at the temple. Maybe an ancient artifact that allows someone to tap into planeshifter’s magick? 

In the future, they will have to face the Messenger. Surely there’s some “anti-prophecy” or “anti-celestial” artifact somewhere. 

 

This being the temple of Anu Maht makes some lore become very interesting. In Seven Suns of Twilight found in the Necroliberatas, the Fetid Prince of Deadhaus and the Leper of the Awakened are both in the temple in a game. So the temple is not ONLY accessible to the dead, but to other houses if they are invited. Somewhere within the Etheric Sea, there may be other waystations for other houses. But with the temple just hanging in the storm, can’t it easily be found? I’m wondering if the green band of the storm is the safe way to reach the temple, or the only way. Like if entering through the crimson band will put one on the path to the Awakened waystation. If the temple is made from aevitaneum like Alaric says next, my theory could be wrong about the aevitaneum being a solid form of ether. Why would there be aevitaneum here in the Etheric Sea? However, the stones and the temple are ancient. It’s possible that long ago, a civilization or some manner of creature was able to reform the ether right then and there into the solid aevitaneum. 

Amarax’s magick here was a kind of cloaking spell using abyssal magick. When the temple opened and there's those geometric patterns, I immediately thought back to “Of Hope” from season two. Alaric almost certainly stole the crucible from the temple OR another Deadhaus controlled structure. 

 

Alaric notes the inside looks like it’s been carved from a single stone of aevitaneum. Amarax tells him to shift into mist form to be stealthier, and guides Alaric through doing so. At one point, Alaric sees a room full of pillars that he’s seen before. A room of lore stones. 

 

 Hey Alaric can do mist form on command now! He’s almost a real vampire. If you don’t remember, “Of Nightmares” is where Alaric dreams through the eyes of Amarax and sees this room. 

 

Alaric goes up many stairs and finds himself in a room where 50 or so humans have been flayed and woven into the wall of the room. Still alive, they struggle to get out. Alaric says that both the Awakened and Deadhaus are monsters in disgust at the sight. Amarax says wraiths must also feed in response. Alaric stands on top of a dais with a table on top. The table had a map of Isoth on it, with several figures. Amarax warns that they are trying to avoid attention. Alaric then returns to physical form, and attempts to use telekinesis to pull the people free. He pulled harder, and realized too late he wasn’t pulling them but their blood. Their blood flows out of them and directly into his mouth. He couldn’t stop himself, and drank every drop. As he does so, everything loses its importance. I have to quote word for word this last minute or so because it is so damn well written. 

 

“As I fell forward, catching myself on the table with an oath-marked hand, blood spilled from my mouth upon the Beltlands, upon Beller. And there, crumpled in the temple of Anu Maht, lost in a storm of magick, in a sea of boundless gray, I felt a part of who I was slip away. From that emptiness of being, something else came forth, something greater than that which was… something far darker.”

 

 So gruesome, this part. Does this room double as a feeding ground for wraiths that hang around the temple? I doubt it’s the only place they can eat. Is there a specific reason they are in the walls and not in chains? To scare other trespassers? The room with the dais and the table and the figures and the bodies is very likely the very same table from Seven Suns In Twilight. Probably not very important because I don’t think the Fetid Prince will appear suddenly to strike down Alaric, but still such a cool callback to the Necro. I was practically pointing at the screen like, “I know this place!” in the premiere. I almost feel bad for Alaric, except for the fact this is the second time he could not stop himself from being as noisy as possible. He’s fully capable of stealth! And he agreed with Amarax earlier that they be able to work together to fight the Awakened! He’s so pig-headed it makes me mad. 

Drinking 50 gallons of human blood after being so careful and only drinking animal blood is probably overwhelming. From the way he described it, it sounds like he’s about to go postal. 

All the words in that last part just add so much weight to Alaric taking that last step and drinking human blood. Not only that, but they are all dead without a doubt. I don’t believe he’s personally killed that many humans in his entire life. The blood falling onto Bellar, in a storm of magick, in a foreign temple. The imagery is too great. 

I don’t believe Alaric has lost his humanity, not in the “it’s impossible to feel empathy towards humans anymore” way. I believe Alaric stood against the undead as much as he could, but this was a point of no return. Yeah he’s created undead creatures before and yeah he’s responsible for people dying, but never has he killed someone and drank their blood. I think he’s about to come to terms with the fact that he will have to kill humans sometimes to survive his new reality. 

 

In the next episode. Alaric will have to deal with the horror of what he’s done. Or maybe he will feel nothing. Unless he’s alone in the temple, someone is going to catch a whiff of all the blood and suffering that Alaric just drew out. With all that he had, he will likely be able to fight some other undead with little issue. After dealing with existential problems and maybe a vampire or two, Alaric will go and hunt down that artifact they need. From there, they will go and search out whoever is supposed to help them. There was a little bean some time ago about another character. Just a picture from Denis, but could this be who we're meeting? 

He doesn't seem friendly… but you never know!