As with the previous threads, the purpose of this is to discuss and wonder about future events in The Last Sovereign. Feel free to continue discussions from other threads (or forums), preferably with links or context. Debate is welcome as long as it remains civil. Also, please don't try to shout down others' theories on the basis that it's against mere fan consensus. Please do not delve into game files and post results on this thread as this is pure player opinion and speculation... plus the developer is known to insert misleading plot information for delvers to find. Warnings: This thread will contain SPOILERS. This thread will contain advance information from patreon builds. This thread may contain wild speculation, total conjecture, and possibly even the correctly guessed truth. If you want to avoid spoilers, avoid this thread.

Given that the Anak created two Incubi and set up the Tower game, I suspect he might have played it all in a bid to lure Tanurak in. I think he even said something about it happening sooner than anticipated. Also, it's not clear if Nyst actually got part of his shard or is simply a construct made to seem like he did. Since he requested a day to put up some contest, it's probably phase two of the Anak's plan, whatever it might be. (A trap against Tanurak?) Given how the Skullpounder looks and talks like the Skullcrusher, it's also possible that he reused the later's shard to create the former. If this is the case, and Nyst is indeed a shardless construct, then it's possible that no actual shard fragmenting took place to create his pet incubi. Shard fragmenting was just the team's first hypothesis, along with the motive that it was to emulate the Empress' success with the Doom King, which is probably false too.

@"Cazador"#p37 About your theory regarding Skullpounder there are is one issue. The Stineford IK (who had a shard from Fucklord) shares the same appearance as well. Most likely, Sierra is just reusing assets for easily disposable characters. As for baiting Tanny boy, I am not that sure. The one who intercepted Tanurak was the Lustlord not him. Why bait someone and not bother to intercept him? Was he hoping that Lustlord would do the job for him. I don't know.

It's not only the look. Skullpounder, Skullcrusher... there are clear similarities. To be more clear, I don't think the Anak planned to kill Tanurak the moment he showed up, because otherwise having Nyst organize an event would be pointless.

@"Cazador"#p39 I reread the investigation scenes of both Skully and Nyst. While it is made clear that Nyst's shard was part of Anak's in Skully's case is quite more ambiguous. So you might have a point. One more thing, Fuzkao (who took Fucklord's piece) named himself Flamelord. Hm...

i think nyst a tower construct of some sort made by the anak for his purpose. if you replay the section, after nyst say to have a event there is a dialogue box with xerces with only "..." the thing puzzle me the most is why empty his room? it isn't simple leaving all in it, an simulate a little use? this is a huge reg flag for something amiss for anyone with the ability to sneak in (and xerces know very well in the gathering there is at least one able to do so, we/simon group)... Sierra in patreon comments say about skullpounder made the same arc of skullcrasher for some "nostalgic comeback" of sort. but the anak doesn't have done anything to control or guide skullpounder, he only give a little shard fragment, and not in a direct way, if i read the investigation dialogue right, anak influence begin only after the start of the gathering, with a bottle magically charged. in reverse nyst shard IS the anak shard subtely disguises. i found more relevant is the ability to broke a fragment of the shard within him without killing himself (unlike estaven did), this mean the process can be mimic with the divine shard. perhaps yarra was right and tertia can be chiped off, or other goddess can give some fraction of their shards to other...

Speculation Thread 12: Gathering Storm

Cazador

I thought that the Anak wasn't really trying to obscure Nyst's real nature from the three other big players (Esthera, Lustlord, Simon). If they're just expandable ressources for the Gathering, he just needed those who knew to roll with it for a time. Even if it's not a Tanurak trap, I do expect these two to be only pawns, and for his plan to culminate with Nyst's game.

It's true that it means goddesses can also chop off. I admit, I was so focused on the Gathering I didn't think about it.

TheEndingOfTheWords

Mmm, new forum smell.

The Anak's motives are still opaque to me. It seems like he's just trying to destabilize things now - killing the Sage, making new IK's, etc.

I suppose that is one kind of balance.

Fulminato

TheEndingOfTheWords killing the sage was a measure to reduce the numbers of competent tower walkers able around. Mhityn asked simon to reduce the numbers of shard holders around for avoiding "wrost case scenario". perhaps this wrost case scenario is the Anak's goal. so making more IKs (replacing the ones simon group has removed) are needed.

Cazador

Xestris did mention that he cares for Philon. It's another complexity layer.

Goi12

The peaceful grey threat that Ginasta mentioned. An outcome where there is no chaos seems very similar to the course the Anak made due to how Sabitha described it as very much like the normal world where everything is defined and nothing can be Vague.

and Lilith the avatar of chaos is described as hard to define due to being what she is.

SotterPapaioannou

Goi12 Except that chaos is a part of the balance. Even Lilith herself admits it. Also, if we recall Anak's dialogue with Simon he (possibly) refers to her as a being of chaos that is not a threat to balance. Perhaps, the Anak wants to redefine balance as we know it?

ForceofNature

Lmao, the 12th discussion thread is named Gathering Storm
Is this a freakin Wheel of Time reference, Decanter?

SotterPapaioannou

ForceofNature I just thought it was a clever reference to the situation we are in as of now. It is a gathering and well, with Tanny boy entering the stage, it is going to be a shitshow.

ForceofNature

The odds of that title correlating directly to the 12th book of one of the largest fantasy franchises of all time, are pretty crazy small though

Cazador

It can be both at the same time: a pun.

Decanter

Cazador It is, if you will, a perfect storm of referential wordplay.

SotterPapaioannou

Decanter You handsome devil.

Quirriff

My understanding is that characters that are introduced with a big portrait are important in some ways. The Sage of Givini was one such character. I don't think he's dead. I think the Anak abducted him. I can't exactly speculate why though. But he did mention him to Simon possible to see what he'd do about him. But the obvious result was to force Ghenalon to ally with the Doom King for tower matters.

And I think the three mentioned by Ginasta are "Mommy", Xerces and obviously Simon.
'Mommy' being the being that the strange not girl was running away from.

DukeLeto7

Quirriff My understanding is that characters that are introduced with a big portrait are important in some ways. The Sage of Givini was one such character. I don't think he's dead.

Magnificent Sage, beautiful plumage...

Cazador

Quirriff Counter-example: Kalant had a bust but was a red herring.

Quirriff

Kalant IS a significant character though.

Fulminato

Quirriff Kalant IS a significant character though.

i think he speak about Kai, the starting chosen, not kalant

Cazador

Yes I meant Kai, my bad, thanks Fulminato

WaxerRed

On the new content in regards to what happened between Anak and Xestris the WHOLE thing seems like a set-up to me.

Anak has never come across as the nicest man in the universe, but he's always had a purpose in what he did. But what was his purpose in forcing Xestris to preform in the orgy against her will? Unless the purpose itself was to create sympathy for her from Nalili.
And how convenient that Anak's heavily defended fortification had the door unlocked so Nalili could walk in just as Anak was telling Xestris she was 'nothing to him.'

More details, who else had the power to let those choosen in? It's not a long list and Anak is on it. And the biggest thing is just the logic behind leaving Xestris. I mean care about her or not, she's been by his side for 100 YEARS! And has intimate knowledge on him and his tower defenses. If anyone else captured her she'd be the keys to the kingdom.

But there is one thing I'm not sure of. Whether Xestris is in on this plan or not.
If she's in on it, her role seems clear. She's spying in on our group and will report back to Anak.
However more interesting will be if she truly had no idea this would happen. If that is the case....then perhaps Anak sent her away for her own safety. Anak knows something big is coming, but perhaps he has some sort of suicidal plan. and instead of having Xestris die along side of him, he took on the role of 'uncaring Master' and sent her to Simon to survive.

BurningHeretic

WaxerRed Jeez. I did not read through this thread all the way before posting my thoughts. Yeah. I said almost exactly this just now. Used way more words than I probably needed to. Sorry if it seems like I stole your work.

Goi12

I mean if xestris is telling the truth, the Anak has defences that she has no ideal about and apparently whatever he was doing with his incubus king people is unknown to her.

Honestly I think he was planing on ditching her for a while since he most likely had to do quite a bit of prep work for his personal defences even if she can help deal with the normal barriers around philon. Based on what we told the Anak is going for a massive tower control of reality( exactly how much is still in debate).

I don't think he was behind the chosen directly but if again xestris is believed the Anak was peperaring for a war with the one behind the chosen and seeing as his result to the divine channel making chosen(at least I think it was doing that) was it changes nothing and similar to how Alonon seemed to know Simon was going to meet Wendis and even gave material we would need to build her body before it happens.

With Xestris near Simon since his first command was help take down the lustlord and it being very unlikely Simon would let her die and would probably recruit her after. It could be he is wanting her to try and nudge Simon to something closer to his desires or of course either thing you mentioned with the newer defences being to insure you can't just dominate her to brake in and this one doesn't matter which due to how loyal she is though unknowing of the plan would be better since she wouldn't need to lie to intergrate herself at all