VN Ren'Py Eternum [v0.8.0] [Caribdis]

[Idontplay]

Actually I was talking about the boobs crafting: it is a discussion I will never drop!

 

[LizaS]

I think it's bad to argue about people's theories as of now.
There are a lot of uncertainties right now as we are still at the early stages of the story. We are still being introduced to the world of Eternum and how it works. Who is behind it.

Questions and theories regarding Calypso about if she's really just an AI and if she can traverse from Eternum to the "real world".
The uncertainties about MC's ability to have really fast reflexes in and out the game. "Out" being in real life. Just that reason alone should bring up questions if Eternum really is just an VRMMORPG game or if it's something else. Is it really just good programming or is it technomancy?

Just take peoples' theories as of now and then debate them later on as it gets updated. Not saying later when all the questions have been answered, but probably when a lot of information is given to us.


Just want to say, Caribdis basically took the plot point of "Ready Player One" the movie, then made it better. Haha.

 

[MrLKX]

The question I ask myself: Do we know how much we are allowed to take the info from the bad endings at face value? If I remember correctly, the ending where you lost all the routes ended up with Orion being mocked for failing the VN like that, while we know that OiaLt and Eternum are set in the same reality. Likewise, the prison ending can only be a teaser to mention Calypso.

 

[Ottoeight]

This is nice and all that jazz, BUT you need to do something about MC's haircut, pal.

My MC must be cool, and that haircut ain't cool.

 

[pds72]

So how exactly can she have scenes if she's a mere NPC who's supposedly not designed for such?

Maybe she was designed for such. It also says that if looking for that you need to go to another player OR hire a professional. So that would mean there are professional NPCs designed that way.

But yeah I still believe she is real and part of the Elvin Court.

 

[Coaxmetal]

Sneak peek on

You must be registered to see the links

. Slight spoilers, but looks like it’s really going to be Orion’s 11.

 

[dolfe67]

Just want to say, Caribdis basically took the plot point of "Ready Player One" the movie, then made it better. Haha.

Everything is better with porn

 

[Dorfnutter]

The question I ask myself: Do we know how much we are allowed to take the info from the bad endings at face value? If I remember correctly, the ending where you lost all the routes ended up with Orion being mocked for failing the VN like that, while we know that OiaLt and Eternum are set in the same reality. Likewise, the prison ending can only be a teaser to mention Calypso.

Possibly. But now that we know that Calypso is a portal hopper, it's also possible that, while non-canon, that ending might hold a kernel of truth if (and I mean big IF, since there's still a possibility that it might not happen) it's revealed that she DOES have the ability to cross over into our world (and would therefore justify why Astaroth believes her to be a hindrance to his plan in that particular ending).

Maybe she was designed for such. It also says that if looking for that you need to go to another player OR hire a professional. So that would mean there are professional NPCs designed that way.

But yeah I still believe she is real and part of the Elvin Court.

...I think she was referring to prostitutes/courtesans like Eve when she talked about professionals, since they're the ones who basically do it for a living.

Because if Calypso is a professional NPC, then Alex or Nova ought to have recognized her being such right away. They've been playing the game longer than Orion, they ought to know what separates a normal NPC from a professional NPC (unless the only thing that separates them is being able to have sex...and that's a headscratcher because Idriel could've at least mentioned how to recognize NPCs who are capable of doing that). But we didn't had that kind of spiel/exposition dump when we encountered Calypso so.../shrugs

 

[JoeTheMC84]

... But now that we know that Calypso is a portal hopper...

Calypso is more than just a portal jumper too. She changed the weather when she first got freed, she could freeze the MC, Alex, and Nova in place, and she basically obliterated that cyclops with a wave of her hand. So, whatever she is, she is definitely not just a normal AI. She is something more than that.

I just had a thought about her ability to read minds too. If Alex isn't really there and she is just a virtual construct, then that means that Calypso was taping into the implant in her brain. If Calypso is an AI, then she is able to access people's minds via their implants which is crazy. And if she isn't an AI and there is some kind of real realm jumping going on than that means that means that she is able to read people's minds through their astral projections, which is also crazy. Need to think on this more...

 

[Dorfnutter]

Calypso is more than just a portal jumper too. She changed the weather when she first got freed, she could freeze the MC, Alex, and Nova in place, and she basically obliterated that cyclops with a wave of her hand. So, whatever she is, she is definitely not just a normal AI. She is something more than that.

Well yeah, she's more than just a portal hopper. I just focused on that particular ability because that could explain why Astaroth seems to be concerned about her. Imagine a dimension crosser with godlike abilities just waltzing into your world while you're in the process of taking it over. That's a potential disaster that's not going to end well for you if that comes to pass.

I just had a thought about her ability to read minds too. If Alex isn't really there and she is just a virtual construct, then that means that Calypso was taping into the implant in her brain. If Calypso is an AI, then she is able to access people's minds via their implants which is crazy. And if she isn't an AI and there is some kind of real realm jumping going on than that means that means that she is able to read people's minds through their astral projections, which is also crazy. Need to think on this more...

I mean, reading astral projections' thoughts is probably easier given that astral projections are technically just a bunch of thoughts (heh) given shape and form.

 

[bacienvu88]

Calypso is more than just a portal jumper too. She changed the weather when she first got freed, she could freeze the MC, Alex, and Nova in place, and she basically obliterated that cyclops with a wave of her hand. So, whatever she is, she is definitely not just a normal AI. She is something more than that.

I just had a thought about her ability to read minds too. If Alex isn't really there and she is just a virtual construct, then that means that Calypso was taping into the implant in her brain. If Calypso is an AI, then she is able to access people's minds via their implants which is crazy. And if she isn't an AI and there is some kind of real realm jumping going on than that means that means that she is able to read people's minds through their astral projections, which is also crazy. Need to think on this more...

What happens to different entities when they are killed? And excommunicated?

Normal NPC - just respawned? Can they be excommunicated?
Player - level reset, permaban or actual death on excommunication.
Calypso - ??
Chop Chop - ??
Praetorian - ??

Praetorians can excommunicate, but are there other entities that can do that or can learn to do that?

 

[JoeTheMC84]

Well yeah, she's more than just a portal hopper. I just focused on that particular ability because that could explain why Astaroth seems to be concerned about her. Imagine a dimension crosser with godlike abilities just waltzing into your world while you're in the process of taking it over. That's a potential disaster that's not going to end well for you if that comes to pass.

I mean, reading astral projections' thoughts is probably easier given that astral projections are technically just a bunch of thoughts (heh) given shape and form.

Trust me brother, I know if anyone knows that Calypso is more than a puddle jumper it is you,

She also says something about only really being able to access surface thoughts too, right? So maybe I'm reading too much into it.

If it is astral project and it works like D&D style, then that might explain the seeming immortality and the excommunications sometimes killing people in the real world. Excommunications cuts the thread that connects the mind and body, and a body can't live without its mind. The astral body can be utterly destroyed but as long as the thread is intact your mind goes back to its body unharmed. In D&D, only certain weapons can cut the thread that links the mind and body, but sometimes sufficient mind trauma can sever the link too. Maybe the Pretorian's weapons can cut the thread or can break a person's mind enough that they die if they lack sufficient mental fortitude.

That would actually work even if it is all tech too, that the sudden expulsion can damage a fragile mind and lead to death. Nova and Alex talked about how if someone pulls a person out of Eternum unexpectedly it can lead to blindness, paralysis, and other issues.

This game... it always gets my theory craft brain going...

Edit: bacienvu88, just saw your post, I wonder that too. What happens to NPC's that die? If they respawn then does that mean, there might be two Pretorians with a grudge against the MC and crew?

I think Chop-Chop is a player, but he might be more than that for sure.

 

[Dorfnutter]

What happens to different entities when they are killed? And excommunicated?

Normal NPC - just respawned? Can they be excommunicated?
Player - level reset, permaban or actual death on excommunication.
Calypso - ??
Chop Chop - ??
Praetorian - ??

Praetorians can excommunicate, but are there other entities that can do that or can learn to do that?

I think Chop-Chop is a player, but he might be more than that for sure.

Chop Chop's likely a player given his comments about his son going through college but ending up a total



but it wouldn't surprise me if he ends up being revealed as a Syndicate member, given his knack for being everywhere and popping up when you least expect him to (like a certain Stabby person from the dev's past game).

As for NPCs, I dunno. The only NPCs I can recall were the ones in Luna's mystery server, the summons, the monsters in various worlds...and well, one of them is technically undead, so...

...you know, that's one of the things that struck me as odd about the game. We've met a lot of players in various servers...but hardly any NPCs. The only other ones aside from the ones I've already mentioned are Calypso, Idriel, and the Praetorians. But even their status as NPCs is kinda sus. So it's kinda hard to gauge if they can be permakilled or respawn after a certain point.

As for entities that can "excommunicate" aside from the Praetorians...that's a hard one to predict since we still don't know how "excommunication" really works. Is it a spell that cuts off the link between you and your projected self? A magic bomb that travels through your link from your projected self to your real self and kills you upon contact? A program that automatically fries your brain if you cross a Praetorian and get killed by it? A status effect or debuff that will get you insta-killed in the real if you get killed by a Praetorian or anyone sanctioned to do so (i.e. the mercenary players that the Praetorians were with in Ogygia)?

Yeah, we need more evidence in this regard if we're going to draw some solid theories or conclusions.

 

[-Arcangel-]

Praetorian gif​

 

[JoeTheMC84]

Chop Chop's likely a player given his comments about his son going through college but ending up a total

View attachment 1831183

but it wouldn't surprise me if he ends up being revealed as a Syndicate member, given his knack for being everywhere and popping up when you least expect him to (like a certain Stabby person from the dev's past game).

As for NPCs, I dunno. The only NPCs I can recall were the ones in Luna's mystery server, the summons, the monsters in various worlds...and well, one of them is technically undead, so...

...you know, that's one of the things that struck me as odd about the game. We've met a lot of players in various servers...but hardly any NPCs. The only other ones aside from the ones I've already mentioned are Calypso, Idriel, and the Praetorians. But even their status as NPCs is kinda sus. So it's kinda hard to gauge if they can be permakilled or respawn after a certain point.

As for entities that can "excommunicate" aside from the Praetorians...that's a hard one to predict since we still don't know how "excommunication" really works. Is it a spell that cuts off the link between you and your projected self? A magic bomb that travels through your link from your projected self to your real self and kills you upon contact? A program that automatically fries your brain if you cross a Praetorian and get killed by it? A status effect or debuff that will get you insta-killed in the real if you get killed by a Praetorian or anyone sanctioned to do so (i.e. the mercenary players that the Praetorians were with in Ogygia)?

Yeah, we need more evidence in this regard if we're going to draw some solid theories or conclusions.

Wasn't the bear Nova killed in the Pixar server an NPC? He could have been a summons or something else, but he definitely wasn't a player.

It seems like summoned creatures can be created by the summoner or can be other things as well. The one guy said he basically created the undead Pharaoh, but then Luna seems to have made a deal with Pyramid Head since he can't really be controlled and is the embodiment of death in his game (Silent Hill). It is so odd that he is in the game too, because how can a character from a video game be in Eternum? If Eternum is a game, then was he like a cross-promotional NPC she got as a summons? But if Eternum is some kind of multi-verse then is he actually an avatar of death that Luna is cool with just because she is awesome?

So many questions!

I do hope that Penny can resummon her little frog, that was so tragic when Kermit got crushed.

My money is on Excommunication frying the neural link, and that in some case can kill the person. I can't imagine it always results in death as that would be a monster to cover up. A few deaths are one thing, but if every person who was excommunicated died it would be much harder to control that leaking. Someone would eventually have to not be willing to keep quite.

 

[Dunner]

Chop Chop's likely a player given his comments about his son going through college but ending up a total

View attachment 1831183

but it wouldn't surprise me if he ends up being revealed as a Syndicate member, given his knack for being everywhere and popping up when you least expect him to (like a certain Stabby person from the dev's past game).

Him teleporting from server to server is easy to explain since when he had to go to school he had to fly..... also the laws of physics weren't even invented yet. And he's obviously powerful since to get to said school he had to fight 2 tigers and a T-Rex with a nunchaku. Little known fact, the 2 tigers....... now do his taxes, yeah. Let that sink in.

His only weakness is that his son is such a professional failure he can't even......... cook rice

 

[Dorfnutter]

Wasn't the bear Nova killed in the Pixar server an NPC? He could have been a summons or something else, but he definitely wasn't a player.

Thought he was a guy in a magical fur suit, to be honest. But yeah, I suppose he counts.

It seems like summoned creatures can be created by the summoner or can be other things as well. The one guy said he basically created the undead Pharaoh, but then Luna seems to have made a deal with Pyramid Head since he can't really be controlled and is the embodiment of death in his game (Silent Hill). It is so odd that he is in the game too, because how can a character from a video game be in Eternum? If Eternum is a game, then was he like a cross-promotional NPC she got as a summons? But if Eternum is some kind of multi-verse then is he actually an avatar of death that Luna is cool with just because she is awesome?

...Or maybe it's just another case of HS2 asset limitations and Pyri isn't the same Pyramid Head of the Silent Hill universe, lol.

That, or (if we're going with the "Eternum is just a VRMMO" route), Ulysses bought out Konami and other companies so they're basically controlling a bunch of IPs and don't give a flying fuck if someone draws out characters from different media entities into theirs the same way Epic doesn't give a flying fuck if the Rock and Darth Vader somehow exists in Fortnite.

My money is on Excommunication frying the neural link, and that in some case can kill the person. I can't imagine it always results in death as that would be a monster to cover up. A few deaths are one thing, but if every person who was excommunicated died it would be much harder to control that leaking. Someone would eventually have to not be willing to keep quite.

Nova pointed out back in 0.2 that Ulysses HAS been covering up the excommunications, either by scrubbing the evidence or paying the families of the deceased to keep quiet about it. With their power and influence, it's likely that those who couldn't be bribed and are willing to blow the whistle are either on uhh..."extended" vacation, or are now happily swimming with the fishes.

His only weakness is that his son is such a professional failure he can't even......... cook rice

We'll probably end up meeting his son in the real world in the future...working for Panda Express like the complete disappointment that he is.

 

[JoeTheMC84]

Thought he was a guy in a magical fur suit, to be honest. But yeah, I suppose he counts.

I had wondered that too, but the way his face moves, and he doesn't break character even while dying made me think NPC. But it could be a player, I just got very NPC vibes from the bear.

...Or maybe it's just another case of HS2 asset limitations and Pyri isn't the same Pyramid Head of the Silent Hill universe, lol.

That, or (if we're going with the "Eternum is just a VRMMO" route), Ulysses bought out Konami and other companies so they're basically controlling a bunch of IPs and don't give a flying fuck if someone draws out characters from different media entities into theirs the same way Epic doesn't give a flying fuck if the Rock and Darth Vader somehow exists in Fortnite.

You got to stop bringing up HS2 asset limitation, it's spoiling all my ideas!

Though I do like the idea of Ulyssess just buying out all the gaming competition.

Nova pointed out back in 0.2 that Ulysses HAS been covering up the excommunications, either by scrubbing the evidence or paying the families of the deceased to keep quiet about it. With their power and influence, it's likely that those who couldn't be bribed and are willing to blow the whistle are either on uhh..."extended" vacation, or are now happily swimming with the fishes.

I do recall Nova mentioning that, I guess it depends on how many excommunications there have been too. That could also be where the Syndicate started or who they recruit from too. Some disgruntled family members of some excommunicated players would be prime fodder for anti-Ulyssess personnel.

We'll probably end up meeting his son in the real world in the future...working for Panda Express like the complete disappointment that he is.

I have a buddy who works at Panda Express... he is a disappointment to his father... my god, his dad might be Chop-Chop!

 

[Dorfnutter]

You got to stop bringing up HS2 asset limitation, it's spoiling all my ideas!

I can't help it, man. There's just way too much assets in the game that's ripped off from other games!

From the floating swords behind Annie's back which was taken from Nier: Automata...

To the Praetorian's gun in the Ion server being the Sunshot from Destiny 2...

To Luna's attire in the mystery server being Triss Merigold's clothing from The Witcher 3...

And now Pyramid Head from Silent Hill...

Not that I'm against it, though. There's only so much you can feasibly do without a dedicated co-developer who can provide unique assets for your work. Which is why I'm kinda excited to see Caribdis hit that next Patreon stretch goal because I like to see what madness he has in store for all of us when he becomes unrestrained from that asset limitation issue.

 

[JoeTheMC84]

I can't help it, man. There's just way too much assets in the game that's ripped off from other games!

From the floating swords behind Annie's back which was taken from Nier: Automata...

To the Praetorian's gun in the Ion server being the Sunshot from Destiny 2...

To Luna's attire in the mystery server being Triss Merigold's clothing from The Witcher 3...

And now Pyramid Head from Silent Hill...

Not that I'm against it, though. There's only so much you can feasibly do without a dedicated co-developer who can provide unique assets for your work. Which is why I'm kinda excited to see Caribdis hit that next Patreon stretch goal because I like to see what madness he has in store for all of us when he becomes unrestrained from that asset limitation issue.

What if it isn't asset limitations, but a clue to the fact that Ulyssess has bought all those IPs!

For real though, it'll be nice to see Caribdis unbound and going all out even more in making this game.