HEART WRITE-UP
Feb. 26th, 2012 12:33 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
stigmateyesHeart Game went here.
THE ENTITIES
Alpha, Ilna (the woman) and Reed (the jester) are all real entities that exist within Ryner, possessing him. They cannot be damaged by outside influence and are pretty much INVINCIBLE if anyone had tried to harm them. Each of them has an agenda when it comes to protecting Ryner. This is the main reason I can't let people make many changes to Ryner's heart and why I chose to run slideshow version. There is huge potential in a normal heart game to push one of these entities into full control. And in some cases, THAT WOULD BE VERY BAD and complicated to reverse.
Alpha
- DANGER DANGER. Alpha is the most malevolent of Ryner's possessions. He wants you DEAD. And he wants to enjoy it!
- He will not let you help Ryner because he wants to keep Ryner crazy and vulnerable to his taking over. Anyone who tried, immediately attracted his attention. If you didn't heed his warning, HE GOT YOU. You had a 50/50 chance of survival.
- While the "no helping" is a canonical construct. It also fit PERFECTLY into a showcase game. :D
- Because of this, I tweaked an original rule I had that triggering Alpha's 50/50 death scenario would cost you points. I didn't think it was fair. So I ended up not using it.
- Alpha is INCREDIBLY POWERFUL when it comes to influencing Ryner, especially when his conscious is shut down. He had total free reign of the Heart, save two places.
- Alpha could not enter/effect Amethyst because it is the place Ryner defends more fiercely. His friends. His team. What's more special to him.
- Alpha could also not pass the Door. The true door, not the one in the beginning. This is canon! The Door is the link to Reed.
Ilna
- The most gentle of Ryner's possessions.
- Obviously she is Ryner's mom and she is under a contract to keep all truths about Ryner's past, Alpha or the contract itself a secret. Hence, why she was so cagey with everyone.
- She also wanted to protect people because she knew them dying would hurt Ryner. Ilna loves Ryner more than anything else. It was Ilna's wish to keep people in Amethyst, safe from Alpha.
- But Ilna only has so much power over Alpha and therefore could only save each person who encountered him once. Which is pretty much why the Uchihas were screwed. :(
- Ilna does not have free reign of the heart.
Reed
- This is the more unpredictable of Ryner's possessions and his "original" incarnation.
- Reed will not let you harm things in Ryner's heart (save the crystal by the cleft in Runa) and if you tried, he stopped you. If anyone had ignored him and kept trying, he would have put them to sleep. This aspect is a bit canon and a bit pushed in for the "no changes" version of this heart run.
- Originally, I was going to have Reed encourage/tease the first person to find the 10-point special memory in each area. But I got caught up in trying to manage the constant DEATH scenarios. XD Anyway, the first would have been Ferris/Sion in Runa and Syaoran in the Dango Shop. You have amused the Reed!
- Reed has free reign of the heart (kinda) but prefers to chillax. Because he's Reed.
THE LIMITLESS RED
This is pretty much how Ryner's heart canonically looks. Yes, the ground is all organic. Kagami makes this sound particularly disgusting and unnerving. |D It's meant to be super disturbing.
Anyway, you could pretty much only go to the door, which was locked because well... it's heart to get Ryner to open up to people. If you tried to stray away from the door, you became EASY PREY for Alpha because... this is his place. :x Sob Uchihas.
Originally, I planned for people to magic/attack the door open. But... as people were being SUPER CAUTIOUS, I had to wing some things... Soooo technically Reed let you in because he likes Sion. o/
AMETHYST
Amethyst is the SAFEST PLACE in Ryner's heart. Nothing can harm you there. There are only good things! It's his happy place. XD It also represents safety and belonging. Ryner loev Amethyst.
Amethyst is fairly easy to get to, but you could get lost in the sunflower maze if you didn't follow Lafra. This is because Ryner does sometimes lose hold of Amethyst when he's particularly upset and tends to stray. If you had ignored Lafra, you would get lost until Reed pretty much forced you back to Amethyst. Because watching people wander around lost is BORING.
Most people guessed about the Fonziles. But basically, they represent protection and if anyone tried to take anything from Amethyst, they would gang up on you and block you. They couldn't hurt you, but if you tried to hurt them, Reed would yoink you. They wouldn't budge until you put back what you took. :|b Part of me wished I could have them attack and eat you, but that didn't keep in theme with Amethyst. XD
Amethyst Main Room
- Lafra: She represents Ryner's restless conflict over whether he should see Aather as his true home and remain content here with everyone, especially Sion and Ferris. If you touched her, you probably felt this. (Unless I missed it, like in Mithos's case. :x) This is also why she was tired. Which is what Ilna asks her. It is easily missed.
- Cage: This represents the security and yet confinement that Aather is to Ryner. That's why it's sitting on Pascal's map of Aather. Ryner can't leave, but that's all right because he's content here. If someone had put Lafra in the cage, she would've napped and this would've activated the 10-point memory of Ryner imprisoning himself to protect Kiefer. This was SUPER HARD to figure out and intended to be so.
- Walls: They are covered with pages of Ryner's friends in Aather, outside of his team or canonmates. There's symbols for Homura, Ventus, Spitfire, Raven and Cassie. All of these people have made especially strong connections with Ryner.
- Mark's Bed: This pretty much represented how much Ryner is amused by Mark, but how he's unsure how Mark keeps himself distant. Which is why it was further than the others.
- Ryner's Bed: It's covered in green leaves to represent his healing spell. If anyone touched the leaves, they would feel Ryner's pride and happiness at being able to heal. It also has Perscitia's talon under Ryner's pillow to represent how he dreams of good things for her back home, although he misses her. If anyone had laid down in it, it's an INSTANT RECOVERY from all injuries.
- Inin: Inin has the booze bottle and Sterling key that represent Misato and Kaji. They're associated with the bed since Ryner dreams of them coming back. All anyone had to do to check on the Key was ask Inin and he would offer it to them.
- Pages: Yes, this is Ryner's report, shoved under his bed so that he still dreams about it, but it's not something he plasters everywhere. Picking up more pages activated the memory of Ryner telling Sion he believes in his dream.
Amethyst Kitchen
- Food: It's pretty much the stuff Pascal makes and tasting it conveyed a sense of hopefulness but anxiousness. This is pretty much how Ryner feels about Pascal. It's also in Tiger's Eye pots and pans because of how much Ryner associates Amethyst food with Tiger's Eye since they fed them for so long.
- Dango box: To open this box, you had to think of something you could bear to part with. Ilna would tell you this. In this case, the answer is gravity, as Amethyst did in its game with the Green Knight. This would earn you the 10-point memory of Ryner making fireworks for Sion's birthday. It would also earn you an Amethyst key and a bit of dango, which tastes like joy. This is PRETTY DIFFICULT to figure out. But everyone was too distracted by Ilna to even notice it. XD
- Ilna is here. She wants you to stay. You can chat with her at your leisure. Anyone who interacted with her would cause her to grab them, activating Ryner's memory of meeting her in his conscious the first time.
Amethyst Courtyard
Nobody went here. :( AWESOME STUFF WAS HERE, YOU GUYS. You really missed out.
DANGO SHOP
The Dango Shop is pretty much all of the things Ryner really wants, along with some things he hopes to realize. These are not always the same. Because this section is what Ryner strives for most, it is INCREDIBLY PAINFUL AND DIFFICULT to reach. That's what the cliffs represented. That's also why nobody could use shortcuts. Everyone had to take the hard way. Every time. It's gotta suck, guys. Because getting what he wants is usually hell on poor Ryner. And that's how he views it. :(
Trying to fix anything here makes you vulnerable to Alpha. He would give a warning laugh before he snagged you.
Outside the Dango Shop
Mistletoe: I think the symbolism here is OBVIOUS. Anyway, touching it activates the memory of Lucile telling Ryner he has no chance with Ferris. :(
Apple Tree: The red apples mostly just convey Ryner's anxiety at getting too close to Ferris. The yellow one gives you the memory of enjoying Ferris' dango and making her dere. The apples are important because an apple is what Ryner used to save Ferris in her heart game.
The Shop: It's incredibly unsteady and buffeted by wind, which represents the constant forces that threaten Ryner's attempts to want things. The ragged purple tapestry hanging from it is being mended and symbolizes Ryner's efforts to mend Amethyst's issues.
Dango Shop Main Room
Dango: Tasting it activates the memory of Ryner and Ferris unleashing a dragon and then ditching. Like bosses.
Pages: They're all about the relics and represent Ryner's goal of finding them for world peace or whatever.
Personae Puzzle: Ryner's effort to understand the Personae. While he has had success with some of the nicer ones, hence the nearly completed puzzles. Others remain a mystery. Three is particularly frustrating, which is why her piece is jammed. And the Lion is connected to helping Sion, which is why its pieces are so close to the Roland symbol.
Roland Symbol: Obviously represents Ryner's efforts to save both Sion and Roland.
Blanket: This is the blanket Sion made for Ryner. The rocks are heavy burdens that are weighing Sion down. They are one of the few things that can be moved because Ryner completely believes he has what it takes to make Sion feel better, unlike his not yet having all the pieces to fully save Sion. If you moved them, you activate the memory of Sion telling Ryner he will create a better Roland.
Onyx Staircase
Stairs: They are particularly dangerous to traverse and stained with blood to represent Ryner's fears and difficulty with truly being with Ferris and Sion. You have a 50/50 chance of dying if you try to take them, as Ryner is afraid he will be the cause for their death. :(
Room: Entering the room activates the 10-point memory of the trio teasing each other in Nelpha. The room is super warm and sunshiney and full of love. This is the damn secret "sex room" everyone was so insistent on Ryner having. :|b
Bed: It has the Tiger's Eye dango stick to represent Ferris and Sion's Onyx key. The bed symbolizes feeling relaxed and happy with them. Anyone who laid in it was instantly healed and woke up feeling loved. Anyone who tried to take the items out of the room and ignored Alpha's warning became vulnerable to Alpha. Sorry, Pascal. :(
Dango Shop Spare Room
Books: More about Ryner's research on Menoris and Personae. Ryner loev research.
Bed: Lying down in it healed you completely and woke you up exciting and ready for anything!
RUNA
I think Runa's theme was VERY OBVIOUS. Runa is a horrible, horrible place. But yeah, this is the home of all Ryner's guilt and failure. :( Because of this, it's probably the easiest to reach with no tricks or anything. It's always on the edge of Ryner's thoughts. It's also heavily associated with truth, hence the chrysanthemums. You slam into it hard because that's how these feelings affect Ryner. They nearly break him at times. Also, if you try to turn back on the way to Runa, you slip and crash into it anyway. \o/
Canonically, it's where he fails to save Arua's parents and they are murdered before Arua's eyes. As with before, if you tried to make anything better, you attracted Alpha's attention.
Main Runa
Syringe: This represents Sion's helplessness about Sion's condition and how he blames himself for not helping Sion before he chose to make the contract that did this to him. Golden blood is associated with Sion becoming more Asruld/The Hero.
Bodies: They are Arua's parents.
Ruby: The black swords around and in the stone represent Asruld killing Oz and Ryner in Sion's heart. Ryner blames himself for this because he knows he should have turned back at the constant warnings, but he was so adamant about saving Sion.
Amethyst: The Jabberwock marks on the stone represent Ryner's frustration at what happened in that game and how Amethyst was hurt and he could do nothing! Then he made things worse by getting hurt himself.
Torn Page: Ryner's report. His feelings that it can't save everyone. It's covered in Alpha Stigma symbols since that power is why so many terrible things happen to those around him.
The Broken Sword: The black sand is from the memory that told Ryner about Alpha. The sword is Ferris' and represents how he feels he broke Ferris' trust by asking her to kill him when he couldn't cope with the fear of Alpha taking over.
The Pole: This represents how he feels he failed Arua.
The Names: All the Amethyst members who've been lost to the Book and how he couldn't protect them from the Darkness. The illegible is Annie since he never really met her, but he knows she was here.
The Cleft
The Broken Gems: Ryner's anxieties over betraying those who care for him. Amethyst, Tiger's Eye and Onyx. Touching them activates the memory of him betraying Roland and leaving with Tiir.
The Crystal: Part of Ryner's attempts to not think about his "death."
Ferris: She is a heart manifestation and only serves to protect the memory behind her. She will not speak or otherwise interact. She will only attack if you try to reach the memory. She has all the skills of Ferris, but you can defeat her either with something of Amethyst (a key) or if you're good enough to get in a blow. Amethyst can severe Ryner's defenses and contact usually breaks through to him as well. She represents how Ryner perceives Ferris nudges him away from thinking too much about his "death." If you defeat her, you can reach the key.
Amethyst Key: It is broken in half. Touching it activates the 10-point memory of Ryner's father stabbing him in what appears to be a death blow.
The Glass Path
Bloody Flowers: I think this is obvious. The most painful of Ryner's truths.
Feathers: They represent Ryner's perception of his failure to save Pascal from being controlled. If you catch one, you get the memory of Ryner's failure at Runa.
Rose Bushes: They are black to represent both Onyx and dark allegiance.
Ryner: He is a heart manifestation and only serves to protect the memory behind him. Like Ferris, he will not speak or otherwise interact. He will only attack you if you try to reach the memory. He has all the skills of Ryner, but the same rules for defeating him apply. He represents Ryner's repression of Sion's ordering Froaude to kill Toale. If you defeat him, you can reach the wilted rose.
Wilted Rose: This symbolizes Ryner's agony at what Sion has done. Touching it activates the 10-point memory of Froaude trying to kill Toale and then Ferris/Ryner who are protecting him.
Path: It represents the reflections of Ryner's fears. Also, it is right next to The Ring, which is where all of Ryner's fears manifest. This symbolizes how closely connected Ryner's failures are to his fears. It's covered in Alpha Stigma symbols because that's one of his greatest fears.
THE RING
This is the WORST and most UNSAFE place is Ryner's heart and where Alpha holds the most power. It represents all of Ryner's worst fears, including the fear of himself. Hence, the lake of blood and the bodies and the general unpleasantness. Also, Ryner generally fears the Ring because he associates it with the worst things that have ever happened to the people he cares about in Aather. He's gone berserk and tried to kill on two occasions because of the Ring and he has a lot of DEATH association with it. Even if some games can be harmless. The bad outweighs the good in this case.
Pretty much anything you do here sets you up for a 50/50 chance of survival. Nobody reached it in actual game-time, which I predicted since Ryner's heart is big and I didn't feel like cutting anything. Since this is all about showing things and not changing them, I thought that was all right. But yeah, this is a VERY VERY BAD PLACE. It is meant to scare the fuck out of you! It's also where you are most likely to die.
Entering it gets you Ryner's memory of meeting Alpha.
As always, if you try to help anything, Alpha will threaten and then grab. BUT this is a different version of Alpha because you are in HIS territory now. :x
PS super thanks tosunshinescented for creating the Ring image.
Main Ring
Bodies: The first you check will always be you. The second will be a random member of Amethyst. They represent the danger Ryner fears he poses to those around him.
Scale: This is pretty much Ryner's fear of Three's games and deciding who lives and who dies. Placing any team gems on the scale will get you shot with arrows and give you the memory of knights killing Ryner's first love. Placing Amethyst or Tiger's Eye will also kill you. This is because in Aather, Ryner can't allow himself to let those people die.
Swords: One is Sion's and one is Pascal's. They represent how afraid he is of losing them to themselves. BUT Ryner also truly believes he can save them so you have a 50/50 chance of recovering the swords, though Alpha will threaten you. If you fail, you drown in the blood. If you succeed, you get the memory of Ryner deciding not to let his teacher kill him.
The Mirrors
Tarnished Mirrors:
Ryner's issues with his own identity, which is why they keep showing altering pictures of canon Ryner, Aather Ryner, Alpha and Reed's smile. Touching a mirror will get you the memory of Ryner trying to stab his eyes out. This is also the safe path. Ilna will find you and block Alpha. If you have an Amethyst or Ferris' Tiger's Eye key, you can reach the next level. Use the right key and you get the 10-point memory of the Hero devouring the Demon. If you don't, you go to end game. This is because only Amethyst or Ferris can get through to Ryner the same way. Onyx won't work because Ryner has issues with some Onyx members...
Transparent Mirrors:
Ryner's fear of being unable to control himself, which is why they keep showing altering pictures of him trying to kill Ferris, Sky and Sion in Aather. Touching one will get you the eye memory too. Touching one of the papers floating around reveals it's actually skin and has various words associated with Ryner's fear of himself on it. This is also the worst path and brings you straight to Alpha. Once you go in far enough, you can't go back because Alpha traps you. You can feel Ryner freaking out more and more the further you go.
Alpha
You will see Alpha in his true monster form here. And you have two chances to die. You must first dodge Alpha's dive on 50/50 chance. Then you must open the door with an Amethyst or Ferris' Tiger's Eye key. Use the right key and you get the 10-point memory of the Hero devouring the Demon. Any other key is instant death and Alpha will eat you. :( This is automatic endgame and very very brutal. Technically, Reed will yank you before you actually die but it will sure FEEL LIKE YOU GOT EATEN. The reason Reed interferes is because if Alpha actually were to kill you, you'd be PERMADEAD and require revival beads. Alpha is REAL and not a heart manifestation.
As a side, if you meet Alpha outside of the Ring by trying to help Ryner, he will have Ryner's appearance and if your 50/50 chance fails and Ilna can't save you, he will make your body explode. This is not endgame death though.
THE DARKNESS
This is pretty much just the entrance to Reed's realm and represents allllll of Ryner's uncertainty of his connection to the Demon/Reed. Your boss battle is Sion. He works the same as the previous heart manifestations and has all of Sion's skills, which means both sword skills and magic. He can be defeated the same way as Ferris or Ryner. He represents Ryner's perception about how Sion doesn't want him to dwell on is connection to Reed. If you defeat Sion, you get the 10-point memory of Reed first meeting the Hero and you can access the next level.
REED
This is canonically what Reed's place looks like. You can chat with Reed as long as you like, but if you press him about helping Ryner, he will ask you for something special. This can be whatever you think is special. He doesn't care. Give it to him and he will write "Ryner's" name on your hand. Which is actually Reed's name as well. Ryner is Ryner is ALL INCARNATIONS. Though the Ryner everyone knows was born with another name and only became "Ryner" after his father put half of The Lonely Demon/Ryner Eris Reed inside him. Anyway, once you get the name, Reed will drop you into True Heart.
TRUE HEART
This pretty much involves freeing Ryner from where he's sleeping in the same cell he spent years in back home. It represents reaching the real Ryner past all the fears and anxieties and taking him from the cage he locks himself in to protect people and his own heart from all that pain. You can chat with Ryner a bit, and then he'll take you to the rooftop where he'll show you his hope for both a restored Roland and Aather, his greatest wish.
That should be everything. If I skipped anything or you have further questions, hit me up. o/
THE ENTITIES
Alpha, Ilna (the woman) and Reed (the jester) are all real entities that exist within Ryner, possessing him. They cannot be damaged by outside influence and are pretty much INVINCIBLE if anyone had tried to harm them. Each of them has an agenda when it comes to protecting Ryner. This is the main reason I can't let people make many changes to Ryner's heart and why I chose to run slideshow version. There is huge potential in a normal heart game to push one of these entities into full control. And in some cases, THAT WOULD BE VERY BAD and complicated to reverse.
Alpha
- DANGER DANGER. Alpha is the most malevolent of Ryner's possessions. He wants you DEAD. And he wants to enjoy it!
- He will not let you help Ryner because he wants to keep Ryner crazy and vulnerable to his taking over. Anyone who tried, immediately attracted his attention. If you didn't heed his warning, HE GOT YOU. You had a 50/50 chance of survival.
- While the "no helping" is a canonical construct. It also fit PERFECTLY into a showcase game. :D
- Because of this, I tweaked an original rule I had that triggering Alpha's 50/50 death scenario would cost you points. I didn't think it was fair. So I ended up not using it.
- Alpha is INCREDIBLY POWERFUL when it comes to influencing Ryner, especially when his conscious is shut down. He had total free reign of the Heart, save two places.
- Alpha could not enter/effect Amethyst because it is the place Ryner defends more fiercely. His friends. His team. What's more special to him.
- Alpha could also not pass the Door. The true door, not the one in the beginning. This is canon! The Door is the link to Reed.
Ilna
- The most gentle of Ryner's possessions.
- Obviously she is Ryner's mom and she is under a contract to keep all truths about Ryner's past, Alpha or the contract itself a secret. Hence, why she was so cagey with everyone.
- She also wanted to protect people because she knew them dying would hurt Ryner. Ilna loves Ryner more than anything else. It was Ilna's wish to keep people in Amethyst, safe from Alpha.
- But Ilna only has so much power over Alpha and therefore could only save each person who encountered him once. Which is pretty much why the Uchihas were screwed. :(
- Ilna does not have free reign of the heart.
Reed
- This is the more unpredictable of Ryner's possessions and his "original" incarnation.
- Reed will not let you harm things in Ryner's heart (save the crystal by the cleft in Runa) and if you tried, he stopped you. If anyone had ignored him and kept trying, he would have put them to sleep. This aspect is a bit canon and a bit pushed in for the "no changes" version of this heart run.
- Originally, I was going to have Reed encourage/tease the first person to find the 10-point special memory in each area. But I got caught up in trying to manage the constant DEATH scenarios. XD Anyway, the first would have been Ferris/Sion in Runa and Syaoran in the Dango Shop. You have amused the Reed!
- Reed has free reign of the heart (kinda) but prefers to chillax. Because he's Reed.
THE LIMITLESS RED
This is pretty much how Ryner's heart canonically looks. Yes, the ground is all organic. Kagami makes this sound particularly disgusting and unnerving. |D It's meant to be super disturbing.
Anyway, you could pretty much only go to the door, which was locked because well... it's heart to get Ryner to open up to people. If you tried to stray away from the door, you became EASY PREY for Alpha because... this is his place. :x Sob Uchihas.
Originally, I planned for people to magic/attack the door open. But... as people were being SUPER CAUTIOUS, I had to wing some things... Soooo technically Reed let you in because he likes Sion. o/
AMETHYST
Amethyst is the SAFEST PLACE in Ryner's heart. Nothing can harm you there. There are only good things! It's his happy place. XD It also represents safety and belonging. Ryner loev Amethyst.
Amethyst is fairly easy to get to, but you could get lost in the sunflower maze if you didn't follow Lafra. This is because Ryner does sometimes lose hold of Amethyst when he's particularly upset and tends to stray. If you had ignored Lafra, you would get lost until Reed pretty much forced you back to Amethyst. Because watching people wander around lost is BORING.
Most people guessed about the Fonziles. But basically, they represent protection and if anyone tried to take anything from Amethyst, they would gang up on you and block you. They couldn't hurt you, but if you tried to hurt them, Reed would yoink you. They wouldn't budge until you put back what you took. :|b Part of me wished I could have them attack and eat you, but that didn't keep in theme with Amethyst. XD
Amethyst Main Room
- Lafra: She represents Ryner's restless conflict over whether he should see Aather as his true home and remain content here with everyone, especially Sion and Ferris. If you touched her, you probably felt this. (Unless I missed it, like in Mithos's case. :x) This is also why she was tired. Which is what Ilna asks her. It is easily missed.
- Cage: This represents the security and yet confinement that Aather is to Ryner. That's why it's sitting on Pascal's map of Aather. Ryner can't leave, but that's all right because he's content here. If someone had put Lafra in the cage, she would've napped and this would've activated the 10-point memory of Ryner imprisoning himself to protect Kiefer. This was SUPER HARD to figure out and intended to be so.
- Walls: They are covered with pages of Ryner's friends in Aather, outside of his team or canonmates. There's symbols for Homura, Ventus, Spitfire, Raven and Cassie. All of these people have made especially strong connections with Ryner.
- Mark's Bed: This pretty much represented how much Ryner is amused by Mark, but how he's unsure how Mark keeps himself distant. Which is why it was further than the others.
- Ryner's Bed: It's covered in green leaves to represent his healing spell. If anyone touched the leaves, they would feel Ryner's pride and happiness at being able to heal. It also has Perscitia's talon under Ryner's pillow to represent how he dreams of good things for her back home, although he misses her. If anyone had laid down in it, it's an INSTANT RECOVERY from all injuries.
- Inin: Inin has the booze bottle and Sterling key that represent Misato and Kaji. They're associated with the bed since Ryner dreams of them coming back. All anyone had to do to check on the Key was ask Inin and he would offer it to them.
- Pages: Yes, this is Ryner's report, shoved under his bed so that he still dreams about it, but it's not something he plasters everywhere. Picking up more pages activated the memory of Ryner telling Sion he believes in his dream.
Amethyst Kitchen
- Food: It's pretty much the stuff Pascal makes and tasting it conveyed a sense of hopefulness but anxiousness. This is pretty much how Ryner feels about Pascal. It's also in Tiger's Eye pots and pans because of how much Ryner associates Amethyst food with Tiger's Eye since they fed them for so long.
- Dango box: To open this box, you had to think of something you could bear to part with. Ilna would tell you this. In this case, the answer is gravity, as Amethyst did in its game with the Green Knight. This would earn you the 10-point memory of Ryner making fireworks for Sion's birthday. It would also earn you an Amethyst key and a bit of dango, which tastes like joy. This is PRETTY DIFFICULT to figure out. But everyone was too distracted by Ilna to even notice it. XD
- Ilna is here. She wants you to stay. You can chat with her at your leisure. Anyone who interacted with her would cause her to grab them, activating Ryner's memory of meeting her in his conscious the first time.
Amethyst Courtyard
Nobody went here. :( AWESOME STUFF WAS HERE, YOU GUYS. You really missed out.
DANGO SHOP
The Dango Shop is pretty much all of the things Ryner really wants, along with some things he hopes to realize. These are not always the same. Because this section is what Ryner strives for most, it is INCREDIBLY PAINFUL AND DIFFICULT to reach. That's what the cliffs represented. That's also why nobody could use shortcuts. Everyone had to take the hard way. Every time. It's gotta suck, guys. Because getting what he wants is usually hell on poor Ryner. And that's how he views it. :(
Trying to fix anything here makes you vulnerable to Alpha. He would give a warning laugh before he snagged you.
Outside the Dango Shop
Mistletoe: I think the symbolism here is OBVIOUS. Anyway, touching it activates the memory of Lucile telling Ryner he has no chance with Ferris. :(
Apple Tree: The red apples mostly just convey Ryner's anxiety at getting too close to Ferris. The yellow one gives you the memory of enjoying Ferris' dango and making her dere. The apples are important because an apple is what Ryner used to save Ferris in her heart game.
The Shop: It's incredibly unsteady and buffeted by wind, which represents the constant forces that threaten Ryner's attempts to want things. The ragged purple tapestry hanging from it is being mended and symbolizes Ryner's efforts to mend Amethyst's issues.
Dango Shop Main Room
Dango: Tasting it activates the memory of Ryner and Ferris unleashing a dragon and then ditching. Like bosses.
Pages: They're all about the relics and represent Ryner's goal of finding them for world peace or whatever.
Personae Puzzle: Ryner's effort to understand the Personae. While he has had success with some of the nicer ones, hence the nearly completed puzzles. Others remain a mystery. Three is particularly frustrating, which is why her piece is jammed. And the Lion is connected to helping Sion, which is why its pieces are so close to the Roland symbol.
Roland Symbol: Obviously represents Ryner's efforts to save both Sion and Roland.
Blanket: This is the blanket Sion made for Ryner. The rocks are heavy burdens that are weighing Sion down. They are one of the few things that can be moved because Ryner completely believes he has what it takes to make Sion feel better, unlike his not yet having all the pieces to fully save Sion. If you moved them, you activate the memory of Sion telling Ryner he will create a better Roland.
Onyx Staircase
Stairs: They are particularly dangerous to traverse and stained with blood to represent Ryner's fears and difficulty with truly being with Ferris and Sion. You have a 50/50 chance of dying if you try to take them, as Ryner is afraid he will be the cause for their death. :(
Room: Entering the room activates the 10-point memory of the trio teasing each other in Nelpha. The room is super warm and sunshiney and full of love. This is the damn secret "sex room" everyone was so insistent on Ryner having. :|b
Bed: It has the Tiger's Eye dango stick to represent Ferris and Sion's Onyx key. The bed symbolizes feeling relaxed and happy with them. Anyone who laid in it was instantly healed and woke up feeling loved. Anyone who tried to take the items out of the room and ignored Alpha's warning became vulnerable to Alpha. Sorry, Pascal. :(
Dango Shop Spare Room
Books: More about Ryner's research on Menoris and Personae. Ryner loev research.
Bed: Lying down in it healed you completely and woke you up exciting and ready for anything!
RUNA
I think Runa's theme was VERY OBVIOUS. Runa is a horrible, horrible place. But yeah, this is the home of all Ryner's guilt and failure. :( Because of this, it's probably the easiest to reach with no tricks or anything. It's always on the edge of Ryner's thoughts. It's also heavily associated with truth, hence the chrysanthemums. You slam into it hard because that's how these feelings affect Ryner. They nearly break him at times. Also, if you try to turn back on the way to Runa, you slip and crash into it anyway. \o/
Canonically, it's where he fails to save Arua's parents and they are murdered before Arua's eyes. As with before, if you tried to make anything better, you attracted Alpha's attention.
Main Runa
Syringe: This represents Sion's helplessness about Sion's condition and how he blames himself for not helping Sion before he chose to make the contract that did this to him. Golden blood is associated with Sion becoming more Asruld/The Hero.
Bodies: They are Arua's parents.
Ruby: The black swords around and in the stone represent Asruld killing Oz and Ryner in Sion's heart. Ryner blames himself for this because he knows he should have turned back at the constant warnings, but he was so adamant about saving Sion.
Amethyst: The Jabberwock marks on the stone represent Ryner's frustration at what happened in that game and how Amethyst was hurt and he could do nothing! Then he made things worse by getting hurt himself.
Torn Page: Ryner's report. His feelings that it can't save everyone. It's covered in Alpha Stigma symbols since that power is why so many terrible things happen to those around him.
The Broken Sword: The black sand is from the memory that told Ryner about Alpha. The sword is Ferris' and represents how he feels he broke Ferris' trust by asking her to kill him when he couldn't cope with the fear of Alpha taking over.
The Pole: This represents how he feels he failed Arua.
The Names: All the Amethyst members who've been lost to the Book and how he couldn't protect them from the Darkness. The illegible is Annie since he never really met her, but he knows she was here.
The Cleft
The Broken Gems: Ryner's anxieties over betraying those who care for him. Amethyst, Tiger's Eye and Onyx. Touching them activates the memory of him betraying Roland and leaving with Tiir.
The Crystal: Part of Ryner's attempts to not think about his "death."
Ferris: She is a heart manifestation and only serves to protect the memory behind her. She will not speak or otherwise interact. She will only attack if you try to reach the memory. She has all the skills of Ferris, but you can defeat her either with something of Amethyst (a key) or if you're good enough to get in a blow. Amethyst can severe Ryner's defenses and contact usually breaks through to him as well. She represents how Ryner perceives Ferris nudges him away from thinking too much about his "death." If you defeat her, you can reach the key.
Amethyst Key: It is broken in half. Touching it activates the 10-point memory of Ryner's father stabbing him in what appears to be a death blow.
The Glass Path
Bloody Flowers: I think this is obvious. The most painful of Ryner's truths.
Feathers: They represent Ryner's perception of his failure to save Pascal from being controlled. If you catch one, you get the memory of Ryner's failure at Runa.
Rose Bushes: They are black to represent both Onyx and dark allegiance.
Ryner: He is a heart manifestation and only serves to protect the memory behind him. Like Ferris, he will not speak or otherwise interact. He will only attack you if you try to reach the memory. He has all the skills of Ryner, but the same rules for defeating him apply. He represents Ryner's repression of Sion's ordering Froaude to kill Toale. If you defeat him, you can reach the wilted rose.
Wilted Rose: This symbolizes Ryner's agony at what Sion has done. Touching it activates the 10-point memory of Froaude trying to kill Toale and then Ferris/Ryner who are protecting him.
Path: It represents the reflections of Ryner's fears. Also, it is right next to The Ring, which is where all of Ryner's fears manifest. This symbolizes how closely connected Ryner's failures are to his fears. It's covered in Alpha Stigma symbols because that's one of his greatest fears.
THE RING
This is the WORST and most UNSAFE place is Ryner's heart and where Alpha holds the most power. It represents all of Ryner's worst fears, including the fear of himself. Hence, the lake of blood and the bodies and the general unpleasantness. Also, Ryner generally fears the Ring because he associates it with the worst things that have ever happened to the people he cares about in Aather. He's gone berserk and tried to kill on two occasions because of the Ring and he has a lot of DEATH association with it. Even if some games can be harmless. The bad outweighs the good in this case.
Pretty much anything you do here sets you up for a 50/50 chance of survival. Nobody reached it in actual game-time, which I predicted since Ryner's heart is big and I didn't feel like cutting anything. Since this is all about showing things and not changing them, I thought that was all right. But yeah, this is a VERY VERY BAD PLACE. It is meant to scare the fuck out of you! It's also where you are most likely to die.
Entering it gets you Ryner's memory of meeting Alpha.
As always, if you try to help anything, Alpha will threaten and then grab. BUT this is a different version of Alpha because you are in HIS territory now. :x
PS super thanks to
sunshinescented for creating the Ring image.Main Ring
Bodies: The first you check will always be you. The second will be a random member of Amethyst. They represent the danger Ryner fears he poses to those around him.
Scale: This is pretty much Ryner's fear of Three's games and deciding who lives and who dies. Placing any team gems on the scale will get you shot with arrows and give you the memory of knights killing Ryner's first love. Placing Amethyst or Tiger's Eye will also kill you. This is because in Aather, Ryner can't allow himself to let those people die.
Swords: One is Sion's and one is Pascal's. They represent how afraid he is of losing them to themselves. BUT Ryner also truly believes he can save them so you have a 50/50 chance of recovering the swords, though Alpha will threaten you. If you fail, you drown in the blood. If you succeed, you get the memory of Ryner deciding not to let his teacher kill him.
The Mirrors
Tarnished Mirrors:
Ryner's issues with his own identity, which is why they keep showing altering pictures of canon Ryner, Aather Ryner, Alpha and Reed's smile. Touching a mirror will get you the memory of Ryner trying to stab his eyes out. This is also the safe path. Ilna will find you and block Alpha. If you have an Amethyst or Ferris' Tiger's Eye key, you can reach the next level. Use the right key and you get the 10-point memory of the Hero devouring the Demon. If you don't, you go to end game. This is because only Amethyst or Ferris can get through to Ryner the same way. Onyx won't work because Ryner has issues with some Onyx members...
Transparent Mirrors:
Ryner's fear of being unable to control himself, which is why they keep showing altering pictures of him trying to kill Ferris, Sky and Sion in Aather. Touching one will get you the eye memory too. Touching one of the papers floating around reveals it's actually skin and has various words associated with Ryner's fear of himself on it. This is also the worst path and brings you straight to Alpha. Once you go in far enough, you can't go back because Alpha traps you. You can feel Ryner freaking out more and more the further you go.
Alpha
You will see Alpha in his true monster form here. And you have two chances to die. You must first dodge Alpha's dive on 50/50 chance. Then you must open the door with an Amethyst or Ferris' Tiger's Eye key. Use the right key and you get the 10-point memory of the Hero devouring the Demon. Any other key is instant death and Alpha will eat you. :( This is automatic endgame and very very brutal. Technically, Reed will yank you before you actually die but it will sure FEEL LIKE YOU GOT EATEN. The reason Reed interferes is because if Alpha actually were to kill you, you'd be PERMADEAD and require revival beads. Alpha is REAL and not a heart manifestation.
As a side, if you meet Alpha outside of the Ring by trying to help Ryner, he will have Ryner's appearance and if your 50/50 chance fails and Ilna can't save you, he will make your body explode. This is not endgame death though.
THE DARKNESS
This is pretty much just the entrance to Reed's realm and represents allllll of Ryner's uncertainty of his connection to the Demon/Reed. Your boss battle is Sion. He works the same as the previous heart manifestations and has all of Sion's skills, which means both sword skills and magic. He can be defeated the same way as Ferris or Ryner. He represents Ryner's perception about how Sion doesn't want him to dwell on is connection to Reed. If you defeat Sion, you get the 10-point memory of Reed first meeting the Hero and you can access the next level.
REED
This is canonically what Reed's place looks like. You can chat with Reed as long as you like, but if you press him about helping Ryner, he will ask you for something special. This can be whatever you think is special. He doesn't care. Give it to him and he will write "Ryner's" name on your hand. Which is actually Reed's name as well. Ryner is Ryner is ALL INCARNATIONS. Though the Ryner everyone knows was born with another name and only became "Ryner" after his father put half of The Lonely Demon/Ryner Eris Reed inside him. Anyway, once you get the name, Reed will drop you into True Heart.
TRUE HEART
This pretty much involves freeing Ryner from where he's sleeping in the same cell he spent years in back home. It represents reaching the real Ryner past all the fears and anxieties and taking him from the cage he locks himself in to protect people and his own heart from all that pain. You can chat with Ryner a bit, and then he'll take you to the rooftop where he'll show you his hope for both a restored Roland and Aather, his greatest wish.
That should be everything. If I skipped anything or you have further questions, hit me up. o/
