#phantom & crimson solitaire

[thederangedsolicitor]

I think we don't appreciate how funny the Abyssal Hunters being thrown into IS2 would be.

Think about it. Gladiia can definitely recite underwater Shakespeare by heart. Laurentina can change outfits at the drop of a hat, which implies some acting experience. All of them sing constantly, and treat each hunt as a dance.

They'd fit right into the murder musical, except...

Most of them are (and I say this lovingly) land racist. Scoffing at landwalkers is Gladiia's most iconic bit, but Laurentina also complains about the inadequacy of land culture in comparison to the sea. (Skadi's the exception, and they both rib her for going soft.)

And, oh, God, they would have a field day critiquing what the Troupe Master has cooked up - singers, dressed like that? The tastelessness of throwing so much animated statuary at them. And are those slugs? On stage?!

It would be an experience worth watching, is all I'm saying.

[mai3phy]

No matter how deep we went down below, the water always felt just too shallow

(I'm back and trying to draw again 🫡 skill issue time)

[adorablegorilla]

We face off with the Crimson Troupe's Playwright, hopelessly outmatched. "It's pointless," he says. "You cannot stop the tragedy that is fated to play out. The fate of you and your comrades has already been written into the script. You cannot defeat the Crimson Troupe."

I smile. "I know. But they can."

The Playwright senses something behind him. Turning around, he sees two figures sat in an alcove high above the stage, dressed in black. They appear feeble, but their presence is overwhelming. They are timeless and yet older than anyone can fathom. They make no move to stand or attack, and yet the Playwright can already feel the crushing weight of their power. He is just one of many like him to fall before these men, a mere footnote in their eternal conquest. And as the two begin to speak, the Playwright feels what he realizes is fear for the very first time.

"You know, apparently a lot people who see the Troupe's plays end up going mad and killing themselves." "I can see why. After seeing that performance, I want to die too!" "DOHOHOHOHOHO!"

[exoticalmonde]

IS2 also known as Phantom & Crimson Solitaire but the Part where I learn about some of the Lore via Operator Records

This all started because I am a stupid idiot simp and have no self-control, okay?

The other day I was trying to mind my business when I was wondering who out of my Bandorio (husBandorio) squad I want to E2. It was almost an unfair match between Shalem and Mr. Nothing (whose position in the band is already shaky with Lessing and Hoderer coming eventually).

I thought to myself 'The best way to really know who I want is to see how useful they are in batte-' WRONG, I wanted to know if I vibe with them on a personal level. Which meant that I had to sit down and read their Operator Records.

And proceeded to yap about Shalem on TWTR since harlot gloves and an iridescent shine on his tail + it being cutely wrapped around his leg is the go-to if you want to impress me.

Also because I like the look of sheer exhausted, barely clinging to sanity look he gives me when I zoom in on his person.

Continue below if you want to see me cry about Shalem, the Troupe and then about the Crimson Solitaire and what it was throwing at me the last two days.

So being said, I started admiring... everything that is happening in his E2. Prior to actually reading anything I knew that Shalem has something to do with Phantom, at least something enough that he has to go and save him from IS2. I've dabbled with it before just a tiny little, never reached an ending and I still haven't as I write this.

Items of background as of yet unverified, which is really funny because I think the same goes for Phantom. Maybe I should look him up while I'm here to read side-by-side comparison.

Take note, it says Shalem works in logistics.

Both Victorian, born within a month and a bit of each other, so that's interesting. What's that? Phantom is taller?? Than shalem?? The twink black cat is taller than the black snake?

Insanity.

Oh, he's doomed. Who do I like that ISN'T infected with Oripathy??? It feels like they're all sick... But now that I look at my list, Chongyue, Ebenhol-

Okay... that leaves SilverAsh, Vigil, Lee, Tequila, Lessing they're all fine.

My head is too full of Czerny and Hoederer being Infected on a very advanced level, so it feels like my world is ending every time I start reading the Medical Analysis.

-Shalem Trust 50-

Considering Rhodes Island's operators come from all corners, races, temperaments, histories and myriad diversities of the land, there are indeed plenty who are weak with communication yet possess a kind heart, and thus HR's operators haven't had serious concern, vis-a-vis the state of Shalem's life. 

Me *handshake* Shalem Disliking mixing friend groups so we just avoid it at all cost

He's been waiting forever, waiting for his chapter's end, but he doesn't anticipate that in ten or so months, when Rhodes Island life has long since become routine, that a shadow of the past will sorrowfully arrive.

Congratulations, everybody, another sad boy has reconsidered subearthing themselves because he found a place to call home and a bed he can sleep in with both eyes closed.

-Phantom Trust 50-

When Phantom first set foot on Rhodes Island, he terrified the logistics personnel who were on duty at the time. He suddenly appeared behind one individual, standing there without a word until the person turned around to discover his presence.

IF SHALEM WORKS IN LOGISTICS WAS THIS ACTUALLY TALKING ABOUT HIM???? I can't believe Shalem was stalked by Phantom for absolutely no reason and then Closure got pissed that this arrogant feline just boarded the ship without telling anybody, or anybody noticing even, until it was too late.

Talk about being a professional assassin.

Accompanying Phantom on his arrival to Rhodes Island was a person as mysterious and alluring as the night itself, someone known as 'Ms. Christine.' Through her demeanor, it was clear that she was a refined and haughty woman. No one knows whether she will remain or leave, and she is not always seen with Phantom, instead happy enough to wander around as if quietly patrolling her turf.

To this, I have only one responce

*Throws 15, 000 of those at Phantom* I HAVE THE LADY'S PERMISSION!!

-Shalem Trust 100-

After a field mission ended, Shalem noticed a phantasm behind him. He was the most brilliant of those young stars in the troupe, its leader's favorite, a crimson blood diamond, and he stared at him, naturally not seeking to reminisce. 

Oh my god I was right.

An acquainted operator informed him someone called Phantom had joined as an Operator in the past few days. Who was Phantom? Shalem knew in his heart as clear as night.

Joined like it's nobody's business.

After which Shalem just decided his anxiety is too much to handle and didn't go out of his room for a small eternity.

When he received a mission on his terminal to seek the missing Operator Phantom, Shalem believed someone to be pranking him, but after verifying high and low, he realized Phantom truly had departed Rhodes Island, and no one was more familiar with the mission objective's search area than Shalem. It was his and Phantom's home, and the beginning of their nightmares. The past had already found Shalem, and he could not choose to stay uninvolved again. He accepted the mission to search for Phantom.

Oh no, he's being sent to whatever hellhole the Troupe is situated at. That must actually be one hell of a notice to get on his terminal. Go look for the person you have been trying to avoid, with whom you were potentially raised to play an endless play because he disappeared.

How did Phantom even end up there??? I have more questions than I have answers now.

-Phantom Trust 100-

After receiving his permission, Rhodes Island conducted a series of tests aimed at targeting this ability, basically confirming that Phantom's ability to alter the shadows is related to sound. By using his throat to vocalize certain sounds, he is able to interfere with and severely damage the psyche of a living being. The more intense the emotion in the tone, the deeper the effect is, producing psychological damage that is difficult to repair or reverse.

Sweet Mouthpiece... What the actual hell?

-Shalem Trust 150-

After the flood receded, some sumptuously graceful guests entered the village. Yes, they handed people money to seek local aid; yes, they carefully selected, adopted many children who were without claim, now their parents had vanished or been lost.

I have a bad feeling about thi-

Numbering one of them was the young Shalem.

I hate this with all my life, actually.

'You are children of the arts. Now, you may rest well.' So the old butler promised, and so Shalem believed. Soon after, his life became a play. Modest and gentle was the label the troupe gave to Shalem, and ever since then, it has become his 'true personality.'

'Modest' and 'Gentle'? Explain this, then

We shan't dwell on the daily physical training and rehearsal of lines. Understudies as excellent as Phantom would be led upon stage, given verbal motivation and material reward in front of them all.

Yeah, so they did know each other and everybody hated Phantom because he was good at what he was doing. Actually terrible by definition.

The children who entered the troupe together one by one disappeared, and those left were completely changed in temperament, not a speck of the innocence of their years left visible. As they grew in years, Shalem had convinced himself to accept one fact: We were only brought into this troupe to offer our lives to the arts. If we are unable to perform... Then we have no right to live within the troupe. Whether voluntary or not, so long as you joined the troupe, the script you were given would be written long in advance. To run until your life's end.

God, Shalem... My darling...

Survival drives all to the brink, and they who ought to have worked together past these difficulties began to slaughter each other. In the end, no one escapes. Only a few uneaten slices of meat remain, scooped away by fowlbeasts, flapping their wings across the endless waters.

Is this... hinting at... cannibalism...? Again?

-Phantom Trust 150-

We can infer from our investigations that a wave of Oripathy that ripped through parts of Victoria a few years ago destroyed this troupe, and changed the trajectory of Phantom's life. He may have had a wonderful voice in the past, but as he is now, he could not be further from the stage.

I feel like I need a little more context about this. Shalem's town was flooded, but the Troupe exploded because of a wave of Oripathy? Where did it come from? Did I miss it somewhere? Obviously, this information is outdated because we know the Troupe exists in a much more bloody cult-like fashion now, but WHY? What is their point?

I can also tell you about the impressions I now have about him, but it may not be of any use to you, because there's a good chance you won't listen. But if you insist? Very well. I don't have much to say, but there is one suggestion. —Stay away from him. He's still caught in a nightmare, not fully awake yet.'

—A conversation with Schwarz

Schwarz?

This Schwarz?

Ma'amn you need to explain why you think all of that, I'm getting a little sweaty about how much people know and what they think about Phantom, because I kinda still do like him.

-Shalem trust 200-

He should have delivered that dagger to their heart, felt the spasm of their limbs, watched the light in their eyes little by little melt away. But the boy of the abyss did not do so. The weapon meant to murder instead cut the rope, and was handed to another to become a tool protective of life. And so did a meticulous production end. A play rendered a complete shambles by this boy of the abyss. A stage offered to him to prove his talent, so wasted and defiled by a conscience. Sinner, sinner! This coward, this lamentable coward. A hunter letting go its prey, presuming to still return to the castle, to report to its king. And yet he! He follows the prey's steps, disappears with it into the barrens' ends?! Let him be far from civilization, far from art, to go to that wild brink. He is fit only to be exiled.

HE ESCAPED BY TURNING ON THE TROUPE IN A MOMENT OF CONSCIOUS GUILT AND REBUTTAL!! My sweetest, tormented darling yeah, you get to stay in my husband team forever.

-Phantom Trust 200-

[Classified Log] We found the site of the incident that befell the troupe at the time.

Alright...

All the residences, facilities, and public spaces have been preserved as is, including the troupe's tents stationed in the park, just like in the records - the only thing that's missing are the residents.

Gosh, the description is like they got wiped away by Nuclear power. What in the world kind of Oripathy wave was that???

The best way to describe it is as if a piece of cake was sealed within a plastic bag, then thrown into a fervent crowd at an Iberian festival.

Someone gave their all fishussy to write this line.

What we managed to recover is pretty similar to whatever would be left in that bag afterwards. As for the portion of the data that was sent out, the path was too vague and could not be tracked.

Data sent out? Am I understanding this correct, the show was being streamed?

In order to verify the content, we played a portion of the video footage that could be considered somewhat intact. While doing so, three of the investigators present experienced degrees of psychological disturbance, so we were forced to temporarily seal off the remaining files.

What the absolute hell, so we never got to really see/hear what was happening? Was Phantom... the one to do this? Was he singing and it destroyed everything?

[Video File - Encrypted] [Encrypter - Kal'tsit] [Danger Level - 3] '■■■stage, death■■■■behind■■■loop, song■■, ■■■■end, all■begin.'

I need to ask Dr. Pinkie as soon as they wake up about this. I didn't read a lot of stuff about the game while I was playing it, only laughing at items I got.

-Shalem E2 Promotion-

When a person begins learning to perform, or takes up the profession of an actor, they bear for the rest of their life a curse: Are you doing what you would, or carrying out an endless performance?

This is not going anywhere nice.

Do you enact your true personality? Or is your false personality itself the true you? Oh, I imagine you likely can't make heads or tails anymore. Let me show you a way forth. Whether you're the bottomless boy of the abyss taking the stage, or the nobody Shalem aboard Rhodes Island. Listen to this suggestion from your old butler. Everything is a sham. You are not your own self. You were born a performance. Don't be led astray by your self. You are a role, and the role is all that you are. The role's choices are your choices. Now take the stage, performer. The time to offer yourself to art has come.

-Phantom E2 Promotion-

...

...

...

[doctor-faint]

Strategic results!

[fancypantsrecords]

Adam Gubman & Steven Grove - Phantom & Crimson Solitaire: Arknights Integrated Strategies OST | Monster Siren Records | 2022 | Red Opaque

[prettycottonmouthlamia]

Sitting here in awe because this run felt so incredibly scuffed (only Pozy and Spalter for DPS, no Blank Suicide Note, couldn't keep Ptilopsis alive for the life of me) and this is somehow the only run I've done leakless, what the fuck

BUT YOU KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS. YOU SEE THAT SQUAD THERE?

NO MORE BEAR. NO MORE BEAR!!!! NO MORE BEAR!!!! A bear kill with every single squad.

Surely Troupe Mouthpiece should be easier.

[wolfmaw]

FIRST TIME CLEARING

That run was so scuffed, but between Specter, Skadi, and Morte, I managed to pull through.

[dine-dun]

It's been a while and it's time for another IS vs Playwright

This is my 3rd playthrough (1st one with vanguard/guard then medic/sniper)

Got Imagine on floor 6, stocked 31 HP in case I messed up on boss battle BUT got messed up on Sarkaz Desire because focus relic *screams*

Yes that dim light lol, luckily I picked eterna from Phantom battle, it's almost not enough to take down Playwright before he starts to move

As much I want to use Ling, the problems are the deployment limit and yeah those suicidal enemies

[tainbocuailnge]

the castle from phantom and crimson solitaire is sentient and can consent but it's not interested in anything consensual

[besiegedhunter]

Sette Colli

Because I want to talk about it after reading somethings from various pages of Terra: A Journey, which this post will include spoilers for as well as the CN server in general and so I'll put them down beneath:

So, for anyone not up to speed or needing a refresher, Sette Colli is a city in Siracusa with a legend attached to it that was first mentioned in the "Rewinding Breeze" event's "Stories from the Sky" story:

It's a fairy tale from Siracusa and so likely very fictitious but as stated afterwards, this city does exist in modern times so that much is real:

This is the real only mention of the City in the game, while the She-Wolf does get a Play in Integrated Strategies - Phantom and the Crimson Solitaire, which is just referencing the story told and not really the City.

Now my intended purpose of this post is to discuss the City itself but because they're really intertwined, like if the She-Wolf ends up being important it'd have to be alongside Sette Colli and there's more context in game regarding her than there is Sette Colli.

There's also the context behind the city and the story's inspiration which is that of Rome, seeing how the She-Wolf is also what the wolf that suckles the founders of Rome in it's creation story. The Seven hills also references the seven hills that Rome was founded on.

As for the context around the story of the She-Wolf: in the poster of the play you can see the She-Wolf and her children depicted as actual wolves and the story doesn't clarify that they were Lupos, in fact the She-Wolf leaving to the moon implies that in the least she was a different type of entity and her children may follow in that logic.

Meaning you have a group of supernatural wolf siblings that once existed in Siracusa. This is an identical description of the Signore dei Lupi, Beast Lords who reside in Siracusa and whose relationship with each other is described as siblings:

What's more is that the Signore dei Lupi fight among each other:

So with the similarities between the two, it feels likely that they could be one in the same, with little changes here and there that didn't get into the fable and gives more legitimacy to the tale.

Now for Terra: a Journey, Sette Colli doesn't appear in the Siracusa section of the book, however it is mentioned in the Terran Technologies section.

There's a twist:

The Sette Colli city established by the She-Wolf's tribe does not exist. There's no historical evidence that it did and if there was, it is said to be outside of any known country. But as stated by Shamare: Sette Colli as a city does exist. And Terra: A Journey backs this up, just in an unexpected way.

See, there was a Seven Cities Federation that seemingly has no connection to the story of the She-Wolf, although I'll say that all of the origins of the name offered in the book are entirely speculated and with modern day Sette Colli existing in Siracusa and the book referencing the She-Wolf's story that, in my opinion, this federation likely at least took some inspiration from the tale.

Putting that to the side for now. This Seven Cities Federation would create the, let's say template, for mobile cities. The first mobile city the book calls it, however they didn't have the resources to fuel it, at least then, and so the Seven Cities Federation disbanded and to quote the book: "Now the only thing that holds that name is the place."

Confirming that this hasn't retconned Sette Colli out of the lore in it's entirety. I believe it just means that the Seven Cities name from the federation was attached to their mobile city, which assumedly wasn't retconned to have not been taken over by a mafia and hence: still in Siracusa.

I suspect that Sette Colli being chosen as the first mobile city might be because of the saying "Rome wasn't built in a day."

But to gloss over what this means:

The Seven Hills region that the She-Wolf's tribe settled is either purely fictitious, lies in the wastes outside of Siracusa's current borders or it is within Siracusa but possibly due to the terrain/changes in the geography from that time has yet to be discovered.

A new Sette Colli was built, being the first Mobile City to be created but of which the Seven Cities Federation did not have the resources to fuel themselves and so it was returned to Siracusa wherein a mafia family would absorb it into their territory.

I'll wrap back around to this in a bit with a curious theory, albeit one I'm confident in and for now return to the story of the original Sette Colli and the She-Wolf's story, because as much as this raises the question of it's legitimacy, I also think the Siracusa section adds some historical context.

See, the original She-Wolf's story takes place, sure in an possibly fictitious location, but likely not an actual time period in Siracusa's history, for Siracusa did have a time period of constant fighting among tribes due to famine:

And as shown, the Famine was caused by the presence of the Signore dei Lupi, a group fitting the description of the She-Wolf's children during the earliest days of Siracusa. I'm going to draw attention back to me saying that it's possible that the Sette Colli from this time period or at least the region the story was founded in, might've really existed, since everything else did.

The "Changed the name of their tribes to families" belying the origin of the mafia is also found in this time period and because of the Signore dei Lupi... in a way.

Really, the only thing of question is whether the She-Wolf existed and if she did, was she a Beast Lord like the Signore dei Lupi or maybe even a Feranmut. It's not too out of the question when Ya from Vernal Winds, another Feranmut, has some features more removed from the typical dragon and more Canine like in appearance.

There's also the Will of Sami's true form that also does not appear fully like a typical dragon:

And statistically speaking, Feranmut are often there when a country is founded or prominent enough. Take Sami here or Kjeragandr.

There's even a possibility that the relationship the She-Wolf has to her children is replicable with the She-Wolf and the Beast Lord Signore dei Lupi, thanks to the apparent treasure trove that is Sami:

Anma is the Beast Lord Amma that features in Skógrinn Svartr Vill Einn Draumr and Expeditioner's Jǫklumarkar. The timing between Sami's rest and the Ancestral Twins being born, with the Father of the Ancestral Spirits being attached to Sami making it possible for a Feranmut to create a Beast Lord, hence She-Wolf's children being Signore dei Lupi.

And maybe without the She-Wolf being there to balance the Signore dei Lupi, it resulted in the abnormal eco-system and famine.

Simply a theory.

Wrapping back to the city itself, there's one probably one more reference to it in game, though it's impressively annoying.

See it doesn't refer to Siracusa or really any other country that this 'Seven Cities' are a part of and casts an impressive amount of doubt on everything about itself because, well,

What I'm talking about is the "Seven Cities-Style Restaurant" dormitory theme:

"A room that reproduces the atmosphere of a Seven Cities restaurant. Is the food to your liking?"

How it draws doubt to itself is that it's the description of the "Upscale Menu Display" says the following:

"A detachable hanging price list. A Seven Cities-style restaurant opened by Victorians, in Columbia? How strange..."

Which goes further because it's a "Seven Cities-style Restaurant" opened by Victorians, in Columbia, further recreated by Rhodes. There's another line, being for the "Seven Cities Patterned Floorboards", that cast doubt on it:

"A commonly used floor style from the Seven Cities? The natives might disagree with that."

And besides a possible reference to: JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind, where the setting is in Italy, in the description for the "Large Notice Board" there's nothing exactly linking it to Siracusa.

But to quote what Terra: A Journey, has to say about 'seven-cities': "The only thing with that name now is the place" and with it referencing the possibly fictitious Sette Colli from the story, it's likely that this Restaurant is supposed to be a recreation of a Sette Colli restaurant.

Maybe something propping this up is the description for the "Real Wooden Accent Wall.":

"Decorate wall laminate to be placed on the wall behind the front desk. After all, the soul of the Seven Cities resides in its wood."

How? Well, the Terra: A Journey's Siracusa section puts massive emphasis on wood cutting, mentioning it several times:

Axes led to Siracusa's civilization, woodcutters and a logging camp who would find an surprisingly important man and where he'd be kept, forestry is one of Siracusa's most considerable resources.

So to say that 'The soul of Sette Colli, a Siracusan city, is in it's wood' is genuinely very probable.

Now, here's where I bring up Projekt Red because I always have to:

In the story of Little Red Riding Hood, Red's inspiration, you have Red Riding Hood herself, Grandma, the Big Bad Wolf and the Huntsman/ Woodcutter.

We see in Red's story how she is Red Riding Hood and her relationship with the Signore dei Lupi called Grandma is inspired by the Grandma and Big Bad Wolf of the Red Riding Hood story.

And while Red herself is also the Huntsman who slays the Big Bad Wolf or "Wolves" for Red, there's room for the Woodcutter variation of the story.

And with the historical context behind the She-Wolf of Sette Colli and the almost undeniable proof that the Signore dei Lupi are the basis for the She-Wolf's children, and that HG would bring Sette Colli up again in Terra: A Journey in such an important role as the first Mobile City,

Well I think Sette Colli deserves to be the setting for a Limited Event and that Red would be the perfect candidate for it with her ties to the Signore dei Lupi, themes of family and possible forestry.

But regardless, Sette Colli is an interesting place.

(Projekt Red for 5.5)

[rimeiii]

Matching WHB kings, nobles, angels, and humans to songs in my playlist

All of them are like. Video game music, unfortunately. And mostly based on vibes. So...

(More below the cut because it's a lot)

(And it would mean the world to me if you checked out these songs because they're all bangers tbf-)

Gehenna

Satan: Operation Basepoint by Life Awaits, from the Arknights OST (Contingency Contract #12, menu theme)

Sitri: Tea Break by the Atlus Sound Team, from the Persona Q Shadows of the Labyrinth OST (cutscene theme)

Leraye: The "Bad Guy" is Here! by Adam Gubman, from the Arknights OST (Ceobe's Fungimist, Dreadful Foe theme)

Zagan: Operation Spectrum Battle Theme by Cybermiso, DOT96, and Tigerlily, from the Arknights OST (Contingency Contract #5 permanent map theme)

Paimon: Light the Fire Up in the Night 'MAYONAKA' by Lotus Juice and Shihoko Hirata, from the Persona Q Shadows of the Labyrinth OST (Persona 4 side regular battle theme)

Belial: Heaven by Shihoko Hirata, from the Persona 4 OST (Heaven dungeon theme)

Astaroth: Rhythm in Literature by Adam Gubman, from the Arknights OST (Integrated Strategies 2: Phantom and the Crimson Solitaire, The Playwright's boss theme)

Tartaros

Mammon: Operation Blade by Obadiah Brown-Beach and Xueran Chen, from the Arknights OST (Contingency Contract #2, menu theme)

Bimet: Princess Amagi by the Atlus Sound Team, from the Persona 4 Arena OST (Yukiko Amagi's theme)

Eligos: Active Angel by Daisuke Ishiwatari, from the BlazBlue OST (Platinum the Trinity's theme)

Valefor: Wecgas fore tham Cynge, Searu fore tham Ethle by LJGH, from the Arknights OST (Episode 11, Steam Knight's boss theme)

Hades

Leviathan: Абсолю́тный нуль температу́ры by Bao.Uner, from the Arknights OST (Episode 6, FrostNova's boss theme in H6-4)

Foras: Keter Battle 1-3 by Project Moon, from the Library of Ruina OST (Keter floor battle themes)

Glasyalabolas: Unseen Entities by Raito, from the Under Night In Birth OST (Merkava's theme)

Barbatos: Ready? by D.D.D., from the Arknights OST (one of the menu themes of Heart of Surging Flame)

Avisos

Beelzebub: The Mushroom...Moves? by Adam Gubman, from the Arknights OST (Ceobe's Fungimist, menu and regular navigation theme)

Bael: Bullet Dance by Daisuke Ishiwatari, from the BlazBlue OST (Noel Vermillion's theme)

Stolas: Operation Pyrite by Jason Walsh and Alan Day, from the Arknights OST (Contingency Contract #1 menu theme)

Amon: Splash by PMP Music, from the Arknights OST (one of Ideal City's battle themes)

Naberius: Signore dei Lupi/wlfmstr by Adam Gubman and Shawn W. Smith, from the Arknights OST (IL Siracusano, Zaaro's boss theme)

Paradise Lost

Lucifer: Mortal Eye by Adam Gubman, BONZIE, and Christine Hals, from the Arknights OST (Typhon's character song)

Marbas: Conciliation by Kikuo, from the BlazBlue OST (Es's theme)

Morax: The Cure by Obadiah Brown-Beach and Denney, from the Arknights OST (Silence the Paradigmatic's character song)

Buer: Canto IV Boss Theme 1 by Studio EIM, from the Limbus Company OST (Effloresced E.G.O. Dongbaek boss theme)

Abaddon

Phenix: Lust SIN by Daisuke Ishiwatari, from the BlazBlue OST (Jin Kisaragi's theme)

Dantalian: Tumult - Raise Thy Sword in Pride by Yuzo Koshiro, from the Etrian Odyssey III The Drowned City OST (labyrinth boss theme)

Ronove: Torture + A Gifted Tormentor by Hironao Nagayama, from the Dragalia Lost OST (Legend Agito boss theme)

Niflheim

Andrealphus: Gazing from Great Heights by Obadiah Brown-Beach, from the Arknights OST (Children of Ursus menu theme)

Gusion: Aleph-0 by LeaF (featured in Phigros and Chunithm)

Bathin: Ad astra by Steven Grove, from the Arknights OST (Lone Trail menu theme)

Angels

Gabriel: Fear of God by Shoji Meguro, from the Shin Megami Tensei Strange Journey OST (regular encounter theme)

Michael: Judgment Day by Hironao Nagayama, from the Dragalia Lost OST (Rise of the Sinister Dominion boss theme)

Raphael: The Fifth Primarch by Tsutomu Narita, from the Granblue Fantasy OST (What Makes the Sky Blue, Sandalphon's boss theme)

Humans

Minhyeok: Morning Dew by Adam Gubman and Nini Guerry, from the Arknights OST (Muelsyse character theme)

Solomon: case i by Lucrezia, from the Dragalia Lost OST (Chapter 14 insert song)

MC: Battleplan Pyrolysis by Monster Siren Records, from the Arknights OST (Contingency Contract #1 Battleplan Pyrolysis menu theme, event literally came out today kekw)

[mai3phy]

Stuff that Phantom made for Ms Christine

I was scrolling through Crimson Solitaire artifacts and reading descriptions and I found

"The first present Phantom gave Ms Christine. She is really fond of it." 🥺

I get this artifact so many times I can't believe I've never noticed this...

This kind of tells me he's made those other stuff for her/ in her name like these:

Which probably means that "Miss Christine" on the miss Christine petting ticket is in his handwriting.

It's so cute I can't get over it 😭😭😭

Also my sister said maybe he uses Ms Christine's paw to sign things because he doesn't write very well I think that's a very cute hc 🥺

[dh-tan]

After watching the IS4 teaser section of the Arknights 4th Anniversary stream, it just occurred to me how far Integrated Strategies has come as a game mode.

But more so the fact that if anybody remembers, it started out as Ceobe going on an adventure and also reliving certain events as were told to her by others, while under the influence of some very hallucinogenic mushrooms she ate and as fun as that was when it was released, it was also very bare bones as it was only temporary at the time.

But before the game devs made Integrated Strategies a permanent game mode, they just up and went:

"Hey, why don't we take it a step further and add horror elements to it?"

And let me tell you, I am so glad that they went that direction because it just makes IS so much more fun and interesting. Especially with the way they present each IS.

And how does Arknights present each IS you may ask?

As it's own, standalone horror story.

Where each IS takes place in a region/country in Terra, it's scenario centers around/stars certain characters and of course, has the horror genre. But the horror element itself isn't one-note by any means, in fact, each IS contains more than one sub-genre of horror and each one is different from the other.

For example:

IS2: Phantom and The Crimson Solitaire, takes place in Gaul(?) revolves around Phantom and Shalem and their past and history with the Crimson Troupe is straight up gothic/psychological horror.

IS3: Mizuki and Caerula Arbor stars Mizuki and Highborn, along with most aegirian ops is about the Seaborn problem getting more and more worse has both cosmic and body horror.

Even though there isn't enough information about IS4 at the moment, we do know that it takes place in Sami and more than likely revolves around that region's lore of which many people are looking forward to. It also heavily implies that Santalla is one of IS4's main characters and judging from the footage, it's looking like there'll more than likely be folk and supernatural horror elements with some aspects of survival horror and dark fantasy maybe, but that is yet to be known.

So yes, Integrated Strategies is a horror themed Roguelike game mode that is very fun and I'm looking forward to it's next installment.

[exoticalmonde]

Part I. Phantom and Crimson Solitaire but the part where Dr. Eve is reading where the mission is situated + history + collectibles

Instead of Dr. Pinkie being the actual loremaster that I expected given their superiority in everything that ever happens with the game, I have reclaimed the role (at least when it comes to IS2) and that includes all my assumptions about whatever has happened and is happening in it.

First of all, while re-reading the previous post I made about Shalem and Phantom, I realized that, wait a minute, where the hell is this even situated?

Apparently, Gaul. Which I have been able to understand is basically France, but gone because they were too sassy. Something of that sort. My understanding before versus now.

Second of all, it's not Gaul itself, the place we stumble into is a castle in Calais-Blason. That is a part of Gaul formally, now it is a part of Northwestern Victoria. After the war nothing was left of it because of devastation and because all the people either fled or died.

Phantom was told by the Crimson Troupe that he was born in Calais-Blason and was taken by the Troupe after a flood Catastrophe swept through the area.

We don't really know if that's true or not though.

Then there is a description as we enter the loading screen of the castle that states:

A castle hidden within the woods constructed under the auspices of a Gaulish noble who perished in the war a few years after its completion, leaving it derelict. But a mysterious group has been calling it home recently...

I'm about to eventually figure out who the noble is and we know that the mysterious group is The Troupe. Their 'Blood Diamond' is Phantom and during some investigating of his memories, he was attracted my goodness knows what machinations to re-visit his old home. Our job is to, you won't believe it,

Gaul's story in general is as straightfoward as it can be based on the Wiki. It was an empire ruled by a family of Liberi located between Victoria, Ursus, and Leithanien. Gaul was so influential that its grand nomadic capital, Lingones, was nicknamed the "Capital of Terra".

Gaul was primarily known for its expansionism, and it reached its peak during the reign of its last Emperor, Corsica I, following the implementation of the "Second Economic Reform Act," a new codex that drastically strengthened Gaul's military.

No surprise there, since Corsica I came to lord over the country because of his military prowess and the rewards he's gained over the years of serving. He was putting all of his military power into expansionism when demand had grown more than what the land's riches could produce. Like any time in history, he thought that it's time to knock on their neighbours' doors and tell them their time is up.

Big mistake. What kind of professional, a military veteran looks at this man and in return says 'I can take him'. Like any monarch, outraged by the Gaul's proposition to become a vassal state, the Witch King refuted by turning all Gallic envoys in Leithanien into lifeless statues. That's how we ended up with the Gallo-Leithanian War.

---

Pinkie: "I'm starting to believe you didn't read the story of Lingering Echoes." Me: "Which... I didn't." Pinkie: "There you go!" Me: *Appalled* Pinkie: "We will pick up the pieces left during Zwillingstürme Herbst."

---

That wasn't enough. Gaul also attempted to invade Victoria – which almost resulted in a complete defeat and annihilation of the latter, forcing Victoria to give up its northwestern colony that would later become Columbia.

In 1053, Victoria, under the leadership of King Frederick III, formed a coalition with Leithanien and Ursus to oppose Gaul, leading to the Battle of the Four Emperors. The war ends with Gaul's total annihilation, Lingones (the Capital) is wiped off the map, and the victors taking over Gaul's former territory.

The fall of Gaul is often considered the most tragic event in Terra's history. During its time, Gaulish culture was considered influential, but are now slowly fading to obscurity. Some collectors sought to preserve Galic relics while bakers and wineries tried to replicate the original Gaulish formula, but the latter are unable to match the original. With their homeland lost, many Gauls were scattered across Terra, and their nobilities were forced to serve the victors. Still, there are some Gallic restorationists who attempted to steal Gallic relics on display in museums in order to rally the surviving Gauls and bring the empire back to life.

Which leaves a lot of questions for where the current Victorian storyline is going to go, because I think most of the land and the people now consider themselves victorians. Granted, their descent remains marked, so here's a list of Gaulish people.

... Clément.............

To note before I go reading the collectables, here's the most metal thing I have ever seen being done in Arknights so far.

The Last Empress-Consort of Gaul: The wife of Corsica I, also known as the Natator. She chose to stay in the Gaulish imperial palace upon hearing the news of Corsica I's death and killed the invading enemies in a suicide attack by plunging an Originium shard into her body.

---

Pinkie: "So can we assume all catboys are Victorian?" Me: "Uh-- Well, I think so?" Pinkie: "Because, we already know all Perro are from Bolívar, and Ursus is a thing." Me: "Yeah, sounds the part actually. Officially, all Felines are Victorian."

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Collectables I found cool, so i want you to know.

Banshee's Kiss

Outsiders make extraordinary displays of bravery that far surpass their normal abilities. However, as one of the few male Banshees out there, this has become a far too common sight to Logos.

You could lie to me and tell me that belongs to Logos and I will believe you. I don't understand a lick of what this signifies though. Maybe it is connected to death, maybe it is connected to music, or to the fact this is a relic of the Death Cult (The Troupe).

---

Actor's Jewelery Box

A box containing all kinds of shattered jewelries. The young lead actress wore these jewelries and stepped onto the stage, in the end falling from its highest point.

Absolutely terrible, actually. Nobody will understand the reference but this reminds me of how Lumine fell off the stage in Off-Script by Jules and Amarettiii. Great scene, wonderful timing in what is happening before that. Genshin brainworms shall always swarm me when Arknightsing and vice versa.

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Fissured Restraints

It seems this sturdy band was once used to restrain something terrifying… Help…

????????????????????????????????????????

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Godmother's Token

A laurel of bones, the token of a Sicilian noblewoman. This symbol of order will smooth the turbulence of all desires, for conflict is not allowed. Genuine or counterfeit, it still demands you to kneel.

Laurel. Of. Bones.

Dude...

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Worn-out Group Photo

Do you know someone in the photo?

These are Gopnik and Hellagur as far as I can see.

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Writer's Tongue

The playwright penned his creations with a quill and his own blood, and for himself he devised an ending in which he perishes in a sea of flames.

Something something it has to do with the ending but I have not gotten to any ever thus... I will be reading that later.

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'The Whisperer in Darknight'

A black vinyl. DO. NOT. TOUCH. IT.

I played Darknights memoirs, you have no excuse to keep me away from it. Unless it's... who collected Vynil out of the Penguin Logistics? Was it Emperor himself? Croissant? I don't remember but my hands are up, you can see them.

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Gold-Plated Dice

The gold-plated die has one side representing life. As for the other nineteen sides…

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Emperor's Favor

A very sharp letter opener. It was one of the favorite possessions of the last Ursus emperor, and as such it was very rarely used to actually open letters.

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Silver Forks

One for dealing with actors who botch their performances, one for dealing with incompetent playwrights, and one for anyone who needs it. The Chief will not tolerate any mistakes on the table.

The more I learn about the Troupe the worse it just gets.

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Damaged Revolver Cyllinder

She never capitulated, even after enduring countless trials and tribulations. Her muzzle belched tongues of flame that burned like an angry sun, and the glow above her head was brighter than the daylight itself. Buried here is Outcast, our friend.

Outcast? Who is Outcast? *Googles*

Oh.

---

Kryo: "She is past tense." Me: "She is a 'was'."

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Rusted Razor

If you cut yourself with this, you know what will happen.

Is this allowed? Is... Is this allowed? What do you mean- Yes we all know what happens with a-- goodness me.

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'Brilliant Lament'

His blood yet flows. He has never left this place.

Whose...? Whose???

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White Flower Crown

A floral veil used in Vampire rituals. Its once vibrant redness has been sucked empty, leaving nothing only a pale white color.

Oh, pretty!

---

Dancer's Bracelets

The audience breaks into applause as the well-trained dancers waltz around the traps on stage. None of them are aware of the brushes with death the performers have just been through.

The trauma just continues. Thematic.

---

This is just a set of pastries without context, I love the food in Arknights.

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Broke Mask

He’s wearing the mask. Is he the one who’s speaking or is it the mask?

Oooo it's Phantom. We Phantom enjoyers know when we see the mask.

[arknights-archive]

EN server event art

Phantom & Crimson Solitaire / Guiding Ahead / Chapter 10: Shatterpoint / Stultifera Navis