The fact that Sovereign is not actually this eldritch being beyond your comprehension is only retroactively confirmed in the later games, if you play mass effect 1 standalone you would not know that, because nothing is fully explained. But I wager the truth is more banal than it appears, I do not think this was planned this way Bioware simply did not know how to actually portray a civilization totally beyond human comprehension with their own goals that are unlike anything humans know. I would have actually preferred if they came up with some fascinating explanation for what the purpose of the reapers doing these cycles of extinction was, maybe it could have been their way of preserving permutations of organic life so they could fully jump-start another galactic life in the case half the cosmos exploded or something? Any such explanation would have been better than what we got in the end in my opinion.
I wonder what the reality behind the pactbinder entity is, clearly it is some kind of devil or djinn, it just seems too early to tell exactly how powerful they are, and to what extent what they say is bluff to make them seem more powerful or mysterious than they are.
Here’s my last playthru stats. This is pretty much my first playthru, but with better charisma and no clubs (sorry, Eleanor, but the library awaits).
Playthru thoughts:
-I am horrifying everyone (Elselings included) with my super nonchalance about my horrible injuries.
-Related to above: I am now the best tank among Hightower first years. The best in Hightower is probably Professor Fausett. But he better watch out.
-Actually, I’m kind of conflicted over exploring vs library time (I need to read more books but I also need to explore mysterious ruins). I think the next update I will go back to exploring since that was my first choice. Less metagaming. (But my library time…)
Can you imagine if the big reveal is the Patron is actually just some dude who’s good at mind magic like the f***ing Wizard of Oz? Would crack me tf up.
While we’re on the subject of the Patron’s morality, I think it’s worth remembering that it’s totally cool with just straight up murdering the OT in cold blood while basically saying that it doesn’t make much of a difference. Given the fact the OT is still alive in the Patron’s realm however, I suppose it really doesn’t matter. Regardless, it gives the impression that either it cares so little about human lives that murdering someone doesn’t bother it, or its goals are so grand that a single murder is inconsequential to the overall plan.
One thing I think can be taken away from this is that the Patron must be completely confident that the PB will never be able to rebel or stop its plans; the reason I say this is while its dialogue does obviously change depending on what your PB says, its overall demeanor never actually shifts at all as far as I can tell, by which I mean it treats a sycophantic serial killer the same way a reluctant softie who regrets their pact. I think this is worth paying attention to because it speaks to the fact that it doesn’t…really…care how you feel about it or your Pact. Think about it for a moment, if it were simply trying to manipulate you, it would play on your fears of getting caught or promise you more opportunities to murder people, changing the bargain to lure you in and keep you going; the fact that it doesn’t, instead keeping you at a distance and only telling you what you need to do when you need to do it indicates that it doesn’t need to tempt you at all since you’re already too far in to back out.
To make a DnD comparison, a devil would try to tempt you into a deal and then gaslight/manipulate/intimidate you into keeping the deal if you ever hesitate. The Patron acts more like a Great Old One, hardly even considering what the PB actually wants out of the deal. Mind you, I’m certainly not advocating for anyone to trust the Patron or abandon the idea of escaping the Pact, but I wonder if it’ll just…let you go once you fulfill whatever your end of the bargain is because it doesn’t really care about killing you. Unless there can only be one Pact at a time, in which case it might kill you for someone else to take your spot, but that’s baseless speculation.
The only thing that seems sure to me about the patron is that either he’s supremely confident that he’ll get whatever he wants out of this pact with you or he wants us to think that way so that we might miss some secret way out. Without any real trustable information and purely relying on his guidance in the way that we are, it’s certain he’ll get whatever he needs anyways from us because he’s always three steps ahead.
It isn’t precisely true that the Patron doesn’t have certain likes and dislikes. The Patron relationship stat provides some clues. If we see how a certain choice increases or decreases the stat, and then compare the results with all the other choices, we can glean some of the preferences the Patron has with regard to our Pactbinder.
The Patron's dating profile
1.It likes a curious, intelligent and/or skeptic Pactbinder
If the Pactbinder wishes to obtain information from the Patron, or they figure out something by themselves, or in some cases just maintain an overall open-minded approach, the Patron will be pleased. (+5% to the PatronRel stat)
2.It especially likes a truly curious Pactbinder.
During the Prologue, the Pactbinder can choose to not precisely follow the instructions given to them, in order to test how much can they deviate from the Patron’s orders. In response, the Patron praises the PB: “You are wise to test the boundaries of the covenant, the voice replies, its tone carrying a hint of both approval and caution. We do not require more than we demand. You understand that now.” (+10% to the PatronRel stat)
3.Whether the Pactbinder shows It reverence or not, the Patron treats the Pactbinder all the same, with very slight differences. Nevertheless, some responses elicit what I can cautiously describe as amusement from the Patron’s part. So, all things considered, It has a sense of humour.
4.It doesn’t like when the Pactbinder gets cold feet because of their own actions and then try to shift blame.
When a murderer Pactbinder belatedly realises the gravity of the act they committed and starts having regrets, the Patron doesn’t take too kindly to being the target of the frustration. From Its point of view, it didn’t ask for a kill, so everything beyond what It requires is not Its fault. (-5% to the PatronRel stat)
4.It especially doesn’t like when the Pactbinder wishes to renege on the Pact.
If the Pactbinder wants to call the deal off during the ending sequence of Chapter 4, the Patron will not take too kindly to the PB getting cold feet. No tacksies backsies. The Patron did Its part of the bargain, and so will the PB. (-10% to the PatronRel stat, plus an aptly named ‘patronSadge’ variable)
So, what can we take away from Its dating profile? The Patron’s ideal partner is someone who is committed to their relationship. Moreover, personality traits such as curiosity, confidence and a flexible moral consciousness are desirable. In contrast, those who try to shift their own responsibility unto It are not looked upon too nicely. The worst thing one could do to It is to promise It something, only to walk back on said promise.
Of course, we can interpret such preferences as nothing more than means through which It can control their partner. Illusion of choice and of knowledge, if carefully constructed, can lead an unwitting soul down a predetermined path. Especially when we speak of an Eldritch partner with potential Fate bending abilities.
“Do not presume to know us, Pactbinder.” the Patron tells us. Well, don’t mind if I do.
Thanks very much for sharing your stats - and glad you’re enjoying things so far! I’m also pleased that juggling roam time feels like a big decision - I feel that prioritization decisioning is a big way that each Pactbinder gets to say (and keep saying with each new Roam choice) what really matters to them…
Ignore the Eldritch Being behind the curtain…
I hear It likes long walks on the beach, too. There’s this lovely little planet. somewhere in Canes Venatici, orbiting a black hole. Great views, for those with the senses to perceive them. Oh, humans don’t? So tricky keeping these things straight in one’s mind..
Oh gosh, your in-depth description of the Patrons wants and needs just makes me want to to romance them again Like look at them, encouraging a curious and open-minded pactbinder Dats such a sweet partner thing
Whilst in reality I suspect that Adam is right and Anzu would be devastated to be reduced to such an ungainly form, I can’t help but feel that Anzu’s mortal form would have to tend to one of either two extremes; either they’d end up a classical Tumblr sexyperson - impossibly tall, clad in a stylish black coat, androgynous and beautiful beneath a dark-beaked mask. Or they’d end up looking like Danny DeVito as the Penguin. No in-between whatsoever.
Though I suspect Oreven had another dating candidate in mind…
Here is my thoughts/comments for the beta.c4 release. It’s not as organized as I usually try to keep things so my apologies.
Also I find it funny you said this was gonna be a short action focused chapter and then gave us an adorable romantic Christmas date <3.
I tried to play as a more jaded and scrappy character than my usual preference for a goody 2 shoes, and picked mind instead of spirit mastery, because I wanted to give new feedback.
I think Silas throwing hands in a flying boat at the smallest provocation is still one of my favorite and funniest scenes. Your writing does a great job of having that dark academia vibe with moments of that British YA humor?
I love Finlay. And I really love that you give the option to lie to Finlay to build a positive relationship with him (the potential for different character arcs and dramas is fantastic).
So, admittedly, I was a little sparky in this playthrough and I like to poke Marcus’s buttons, but I dont think he likes me? The scene where the player ditches Eleanor to talk to Marcus about Justin wasn’t even a choice? Which, the idea that having a non-positive relationship with my housemates impacts the story progression and available scenes is so delicious to me.
It might just be me, but sometimes the scene shifts feel abrupt between one page and the next. Part of that is that I get sucked into the story and am reading so quickly.
There is the option of having Marcus tough it before testing the kingsgift, or revealing that you felt something weird and touching it yourself but raising suspicion. I wish the player could touch the door but play it off as the “non-kingsgift” trial to keep suspicion low (obviously completely rendered useless by our own patron’s tricksy little plan!)
The knife of Timothy! The dealing club! The vault! The way all these different branching plot lines weave together is so exciting and well done!!! I’m sure that any route my player took would have revealed a different set of clues and secrets to help things line up (all according to my patrons plans mwahahaha).
Here are my ending stats. It did feel a little bit like Finesse and Might were just different ways to do the same sort of tasks, so it might be worth giving more opportunities to differentiate them?
Also, on the question of whether to put personality or skill stat bars first: I’ve seen most people discuss it as based on which stats change more frequently. However, I feel that the difference is more about how you play? I tend to play the game very narratively driven and therefore prefer the personality stats at the top. But if I was trying to min max or pick the most game-optimized choices I would want the skill stats most readily available.
Like look at them, encouraging a curious and open-minded pactbinder 
Dats such a sweet partner thing
