Descent is a short story written by narrative designer Paul Kirsch, and published by Obsidian Entertainment on August 17, 2018. It is one in a series of three short stories written as a prelude for Beast of Winter, the first DLC for Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire. All three stories are available on Obsidian's website.
Summary[]
In the unforgiving Dead Floe, young elf Ehrys questions her clan's beliefs and seeks a quicker path to oblivion. Defying tradition, she embarks on a personal quest to an ancient temple, hoping to find answers and break the cycle of life and death.
Story[]
A dwarf is bound to a wooden post amidst a cold, icy landscape. He is surrounded by a crowd of Glamfellen elves who are amused by his pleas for civility and hospitality. The dwarf, misunderstanding the elves' customs and culture, pleads for civility and hospitality. A young woman named Ehrys addresses the dwarf, explains their belief in sacrifice and the pursuit of oblivion, dismissing the dwarf's appeals. As the dwarf's struggle and hope diminish, Elder Bryntyr intervenes, commanding Ehrys to silence the dwarf and bring an end to his torment. Ehrys reluctantly obeys, gagging the dwarf and wishing him the embrace of oblivion. Bryntyr then offers the dwarf and his clan as a sacrifice to the Beast of Winter, asking for their swift annihilation. The crowd of elves disperses and return to their duties, while Ehrys is troubled by the dwarf's muffled pleas. Eventually, the dwarf falls silent, claimed by the cold.
Ehrys is seated at the edge of the plateau, tasked with carving a staircase that corkscrews around the mountain to an ancient temple below, a labor that would take at least two generations to complete. As she works, Elder Bryntyr approaches her and they discuss why he stopped her during the sacrificial ceremony. Bryntyr explains that the dwarf was not ready for oblivion and that achieving true surrender takes a lifetime.
Ehrys expresses her frustration with carving the staircase, and her impatience, believing that their current life may be their only chance to escape the cycle of reincarnation. Bryntyr emphasizes that walking the path of nothingness is an act of personal contemplation and that not everyone is as prepared as they are. He assures Ehrys that their time will come and that even the oceans will eventually flatten and die. Bryntyr leaves Ehrys with her chisel and her thoughts, trusting her to find the way back to the temple.
Ehrys becomes frustrated with the slow progress of carving the staircase and the lack of answers she sought about escaping the cycle of death and rebirth. She decides to abandon the task, using a rope and an axe to rappel down the cliffside, leaving the pilgrims to build the staircase on their own. As she descends, she hears the booming sound of a distant section of ice breaking off and falling into the sea, which draws her attention to a boat approaching the Dead Floe. Ehrys believes that the temple nestled within the depths of the mountain may hold the answers she seeks. Ignoring the possible omen of the boat's arrival, Ehrys continues her descent with a grin on her face, eager to discover the truth for herself.
References
- ↑ Publications | Paul Kirsch
- ↑ Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire [@WorldOfEternity] (August 18, 2018). "Hey #Deadfire fans! Our own @PaulKirschBooks has written two short stories giving some background to characters in Beast of Winter! You can find them on our media page. eternity.obsidian.net/media" (Tweet) via Twitter.
- ↑ Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire Update #55: Seeker, Slayer, Survivor Preview
- ↑ Update #55 - Seeker, Slayer, Survivor Preview - Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire Announcements & News - Obsidian Forum Community
- ↑ Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire: Update #55 - Seeker, Slayer, Survivor Preview on Fig