Orbis (video game)
| Orbis | |
|---|---|
 Valens and Monika, two of the main cast | |
| Developer(s) | Aquila Nishizumi Gaming |
| Publisher(s) | Raidenco |
| Director(s) | Lyuben Borisov Hashida Rintaro |
| Producer(s) | Andrei Petrașcu Takashi Takebe |
| Designer(s) | Ștefan Albu Tsueno Nishizumi |
| Writer(s) | Petar Valentinev Laurențiu Croitoru |
| Composer(s) | Mihail Nikolayev Mayuri Kurisu |
| Engine | Unity |
| Platform(s) | Computer Mobile Console |
| Release | January 3rd, 2021 |
| Genre(s) | Action role-playing game |
| Mode(s) | Single-player Multi-player |
Orbis is an anime-themed cross-platform open world action role-playing game. Originally developed by Tengarian-Amathian video game studio Aquila based on Senrian role-playing games and other more recent successful titles, the ambitious project was purchased for publishing by Senrian company Raidenco, which brought in their studio Nishizumi Gaming to assist in production, making it an international project. It was initially released after three years of development in early 2021 as a free to play game across a variety of gaming platforms, although using the gacha system for monetization. More story content and special events continue to be released on a regular basis for free, as well as optional paid customizations and additional characters which can be rolled for through the gacha system.
Since its release, the game has been widely successful with a variety international audiences, which praise the game for its beautiful fantasy world setting including theological and cosmological concepts, well-written story and character appeal. However, the game has been criticised for introducing the gacha system into the RPG style and not releasing the complete game at once. Although monetarily successful on a variety of platforms, the mobile audience, particularly in Senria and Shangea, have been significant contributors to the game's financial success. Reflecting its international nautre, the game has fully supported voice acting and game interfaces in eight languages: Tengarian, Amathian, Senrian, Gaullican, Estmerish, Shanghean, Soravian and Ziba. It also has game textual support in an additional four languages.
Development History
Aquila (Solarian for "Eagle") as a company was first a merger of two studios from Amathia and Tengaria which focused on doing fan translations of Senrian games, before eventually working to officially lisence Tengarian and Amathian translation. The studio began doing their own projects, primarily anime-themed. With several successful games under their belt, in late 2017 the Aquilan team began discussions for a massive anime-themed open-world game. They cited games such as the Mercenary and Legend of the Wilderlands as inspirations. Production began in early 2018 for an ambitious large-scale open world game, however, without the resources to pitch it on a mass scale preparing a game, for studio instead designed a working beta as a concept for presentation.
By July of 2018, Aquila had a working model for demonstration, and previewed their version at a convention in Keisi, with plans to try in Shangea or in Eastern Euclea if no buyers were interested. However, the exposition proved more successful than hoped, attracting the attention of several Senrian companies and international news sources. Eventually, the creators reached an agreement with Raidenco, who would take up producing the game and bring in their own studio, but keep the original creators as part of the creative team. This unique arrangement saw the project become multinational, with most of the writing and story efforts being focused by Aquila and most of the technical work and polishing being taking on by Nishizumi Gaming.
Despite the arrangement being beneficial for both companies, the studios soon found that they had disagreements about how to approach the gameplay and accessibility. The original project was meant to be a grand-scale SRPG, paid for as a single purchase; however, the producers at Raidenco instead wanted it to be monetised through a gacha system, with a free-to-play system to attract customers, including cross-platform support. Reaching a compromise, they agreed to adopt the monetisation model provided that the central cast of RPG characters would be preserved and the game would remained story focused. This agreement meant that project would result in more intense and expensive development and involved a lot more time, which pushed back the release date; the developers eventually agreed to ensure quality by having the full content and story of the game be released over a long period of time.
The game was widely anticipated for its release, making the producers confident that the game would perform well at the although some worried that it was over-hyped and would follow other game series which had great expositions but had ended up being critical failures. Fans who knew the beta version were also angered over the introduction of gacha elements to the SRPG story, marking the beginning in the divide in the fanbase between those who wanted a more "pure" game and those who wanted the gacha system. This tension also is reflected in the general attitudes between between Aquila, which wants story and character driven focus, and Raidenco, who want to introduce more paid elements. Generally, however, the two were able to compromise. Raidenco began engaging in an extensive marketing campaign prior to the game's release, introducing some of the characters as mascots for the franchise.
After nearly 3 years of total development, the game released on multiple platforms in early January of 2021, introducing the first region of Vetia and the major characters. The game saw lots of downloads almost immediately on devices across the world, becoming an instant financial success, and soon saw spread across not just expected regions of Senria and Shangea but also with fans in East Euclea and Asteria Superior. The availability on mobile phones made it especially accessible, and its free-to-play nature for a style of game which was usually a big-market console or computer game helped spread its reputation. It was released with 4 languages supported in voice acting- Gaullican, Senrian, Tengarian and Amathian- with 4 more languages added after it gained success- Soravian, Shangean, Ziba and Estmerish. In addition, the game also supports in game text support (but no voice acting) for, Weranian, Vespasian, Ansene and Luzelese.
The studios have invested a lot of the profits from the game back into the game's development for future content and story addition. In addition to minor releases of new content and areas and more frequent events, the game has released three major updates where completely new regions have been added since its 2021 release- releasing Satsuma in June of 2021, Amaria on February of 2022, and most recently Mendemia in late July of 2022, with an update approximately once every 6 months. There are expected to be at least four more major updates before the game reaches the end of its story, projected to be in the summer of 2024.
Gameplay
As an open world action role-playing game, the game allows the player to travel the world, follow a story and engage in combat. As an open world game, exploration is a key feature, with characters being able to explore and find chests, items and enemies across the map. Quests and changes to the environment are present and usually related to the progression of the story (although many of the quests are side quests not centered on the main story) have an effect on exploration, but within certain boundaries the player is free to roam. It utilises the stamina system pioneered by Legend of the Wilderlands for gliding and climbing, and also has fast-travel beacons which facilitate travel over vast distances.
Although the player only controls a single character on the game map at one time, they may have up to four characters in the field party at any given time, with fairly quick transition between characters allowing for the abilities of characters to affect other characters- for example, if a character puts up a shield, switching to another character will also have that character keep the shield. In the optional co-op multiplayer featured by the game, the number of switchable characters decreases until the players equal the number of party slots (four), with each player only controlling one character but with four active characters on the field. In the most recent update, a special game mode was released harder version of bosses and challenges where teams can be eight, twelve or even sixteen players. Players can play with other players on any console due to the game supporting cross-platform play.
The game's combat focuses around elemental power wielded by the characters. There are seven main elements- Terra (rock/geo), Aura (air/anemo), Aqua (water/hydro), Fulmena (lightning/electro), Vita (life/dendro), Gela (ice/cryo) and Igna (fire/pyro). Each of these elements have a different general role, and also combine to make elemental reactions. Terra usually is related to shields and buffs, aura deals with crowd control and amplifying other elements, aqua is used for healing and support, vita for life drain and applying negative affects to enemies, gela for freeze and melt reactions, and igna for powerful damage and burning ability. Characters usually have a unique skill and a burst which are related to their element in addition to a standard physical attack. In addition to these, the main protagonist, Valens, has a special element known as "aether", which is connected with the divine spheres, and is a combination of a damage dealing element which also heals.
Characters have a base set of stats and abilities, which can be modified and augmented in certain ways, usually acquired through farming certain bosses and challenges or through rolling in the gacha system. Each character has a unique set of "faculties" which can be levelled up through items acquired in game, increasing the power of the faculty in question. Weapons for characters are found in the game world as treasure or rewards, although most high-quality weapons have to be rolled through the gacha system, and can themselves be augmented through ability. Finally, "boons" are items which can also improve the character's stats, coming in five types. Certain powerful weapons and items acquired through the story are only usable by certain characters in the main cast, and usually have unique ways of levelling them up gotten through the story.
Characters
Main Cast
These characters are canonically considered as part of the party throughout the story of the game, which become the fabled "hero and seven companions" of legend. Listed in the order of acquisition during the game's story.
| Character | Weapon | Element | Region | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valens | Sword | Aether | Vetia | Main protagonist. From mysterious origins (found in a field following a shower of shooting stars), he was taken in by the village of Boyan. |
| Monika | Bow | Igna | Vetia | Valens' best and childhood friend and expert marksman torn between the desire to remain in Boyan or serve in the Imperial Auxilia. Has 1/4th descent from Houzai. |
| Elizabeth | Claymore | Terra | Neige | A maid from Neige who discovered she could wield the power of Terra, and ventured to Vetia with the desire to learn more about her new powers after being cast out on the streets by her master. |
| Saori Suzuha | Polearm | Fulmena | Satsuma | A wandering Samurai seeking honour and renown, seeking to become the master of the naginata and to prove herself as the strongest warrior. |
| xxxx | Bow | Aura | Vetia | A bard from the citadel of Argentia, happy and carefree on the outside, but in secret he is one of those who are fighting for freedom and conspiring against the God of Metal. |
| Elissa | Sword | Aqua | Amaria | Priestess from the heartlands of Amaria, on a quest to study the laws of other realms and bring about justice. |
| Catalyst | Vita | Geguo | ||
| Beatrice | Claymore | Gela | Mendemia | Mercenary from Mendemia. |
Other Characters
Additional characters which are acquired through the gacha system, and while playable are not considered as canonically part of the adventuring group- usually they are important NPCs or prominent figures= notably, every released archon has also become a playable character. Some are ranked "4 star", meaning they are more common and oftentimes weaker than the "5 stars", which are much rarer and of which most only appear for limited time in certain cycles.
| Character | Weapon | Element | Rank | Region | Released | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucia Quirinia | Catalyst | Aqua | 5-star | Vetia | January 3, 2021 | Priestess of the Cult of Callistus and world-renowned healer. |
| Cornelius Juventius | Claymore | Igna | 5-star | Vetia | January 3, 2021 | Lord-Commander of the Companions of the Golden Throne. |
| Augustinus Marcellus | Catalyst | Terra | 5-star | Vetia | January 3, 2021 | Pontifex of the Church Imperial, principal church in Vetia. |
| Theophilus Alexander | Sword | Terra | 4-star | Vetia | January 3, 2021 | Doctor and Rector of the University, the world's foremost educational institution. |
| Victoria Quirinia | Sword | Aura | 4-star | Vetia | January 3, 2021 | Champion of the Citadel and Knight-Captain of the Companions of the Golden Throne. |
| Constans | Polearm | Terra | 5-star | Vetia | March 15, 2021 | One of the twin Terra archons. |
| Callistus | Terra | 5-star | Vetia | March 15, 2021 | One of the twin Terra archons. | |
| !Kujou Sara | Bow | Fulmena | 5-star | Satsuma | June 21, 2021 | |
| Okabe Tenno | Sword | Aura | 5-star | Vetia | September 30, 2021 | Aura Archon of Satsuma. |
| Astarte | Polearm | Aqua | 5-star | Amaria | May 4, 2022 | Aqua Archon of Amaria. |
| Gianna | Sword | Fulmena | 5-star | Mendemia | September 5, 2022 |
Story
Setting
Orbis is set in a fantasy world which draws heavily influences from Teleology, Neotheocritism, Gnosticism, and the astronomical system of the ancient and medieval musica universalis. There is a recongised supreme being, known as the "Divine", however views on him differ between the different systems of belief as to his nature and purpose. Traditional widespread belief views him as the creator of the universe and the first cause of motion and being and is the common good of the universe, although this notion is opposed by certain groups. One of the opposition groups, the Church of the One, posits that the physical world is inherently evil and that the Divine exists in the "eternal" and "true" world, and argues that the current system is flawed and advocate for "wisdom" as being the gateway to the "truth". Rumours of another more secretive group called "Society of the Redeemed" which stand opposed to the rule of the archons is also beginning to spread.
The two main components of the universe are the material world and the heavens, with the model of the heavens reflecting classical astronomy. Within the material world itself, where the gameplay is focused, gods, known as Archons, are generally regarded as wielding special power from the Divine in order to rule over the world's seven regions, each of which are associated with an element. Semi-divine beings who occupy the world are known as "numines", who take on differing names in each region- Principes in Vetia, in Yōkai in Satsuma, Jinn in Amaria, Spirits in Mendemia, Lutin in Neige, Yao in Houzai, and Mua in Geguo. Most scholars agree that the world itself is roughly ten thousand years old, with the War of the Numines being fought for centuries and resolved only seven and a half thousand years ago, which resulted in the solidification of the regions and the establishment of the archon system under the influence of the divine spheres. Even after, sometimes the remain numines would fight their archons or between themselves, occasionally even overthrowing a previous archon.
Humans are seen as distinct creatures from the numines, and only arrived in the aftermath of the War of the Numines, and are generally said to be a creation of the Divine directly. When a archon or numines is killed, they are said to remain in the divine spheres of the stars, still within material creation. However, the souls of humans are commonly said to be immortal and immaterial and go beyond the boundaries of the material world to a place unknown to even the archons. Although their ultimate fate is unrevealed, the archons have passed on to most human societies that the actions of a human in this life influence the outcome of the life "beyond the spheres" to final felicity or suffering. The Church of the One goes further than this and advocates that only enlightenment and acquisition of the "truth" can guarantee the felicity of the liberated soul.
With the changing and corruptible world (known as Orbis) located at the centre of the universe, the heavens consist in the nine celestial spheres (known in-game as the "divine spheres"), corresponding to the seven classical planets (which in the World of Orbis themselves are reflections of the seven elements), the sphere of the fixed stars, and the primum mobile. These spheres are generally regarded as divine but caused and ultimately material beings capable of locomotion but not corruption, which bestow power on the archons which match their general personality and visions, who bestow power upon the archons. Although currently not featured in the game itself, they form an important aspect of the lore and are hinted to become traversable in the final stages of development. In addition to these spheres, there is said to be a highest heaven beyond physical existence, a purely spiritual realm. Each of the spheres is named by people of the corresponding realm in which it is held in regard.
Heavens
| Heaven | Inspiration | Element | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lune | Moon | Gela | Seen the most transient and shifting heavenly body and closest to the corruptible earth, Lune is considered to represent change and non-permanence. Her bright light in the night is also said to indicate beauty and opulence. |
| Berana | Mercury | Fulmena | Known for its quick movement but less noticeable presence at twilight than Kinsei, Berana is known for contributing to the motion of the heavenly bodies without bringing attention to herself. |
| Kinsei | Venus | Aura | Kinsei is the third-brightest of the orbs, and holds special significance as representing art and creativity. |
| Mhana | Sun | Vita | Known as the source of life, Mhana is deeply connected with the element of life. |
| Huǒxīng | Mars | Igna | Said to represent power and passion, Huǒxīng is a popular symbol for soldiers and warriors. |
| Almushtari | Jupiter | Aqua | |
| Solidus | Saturn | Terra | The furthest out of the elemental-theme spheres and closest to the first mover, not much is said to be known about Solidus, or has been revealed by Constans and his twin. |
| Astra | Fixed stars | Unknown | Said to be the realm of the souls of the slain archons and numines who have departed from the earth while still within the bounds of material existence. |
| Cinctus | Primum Mobile | Unknown | The highest and most divine of the spheres, the first mover of all motion (although it itself is said to be moved by the divine), and the outer limits of the material universe. |
Regions
The game will feature seven regions, in order of release and appearance within the story, with the descriptions taken from official game guide:
| Region | Inspiration | Element | Archon | Released | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vetia | South-Euclea | Terra | Constans Callistus |
January 3, 2021 | "An ancient land which used to be united, but now is falling into decay, Vetia was an empire ruled for millennia ruled by twin Archons, although several centuries ago a rift between the brothers divided the region into two realms at a hostile peace. Constans is regarded as a fair but harsh ruler who emphasizes “preservation” and “memory”, ruling a realm called “Auria” with a strong sense of faith, duty, and wisdom; controlling the ancient city of Aevitas, the centre of culture and intellectual tradition with a vibrant community of philosophers. However, all is not perfect, and recent suppression of the Church of the One and infighting within the nobility are blemishes on the seemingly golden exterior. Argentia, the realm of Callistus, the "god of metal", a despot who emphasizes "protection" and "loyalty", is a closed and isolated land of metal fortresses which both defend and block their inhabitants, in preparation of a war against other Archons or perhaps even the Divine. Followers of the god of metal praise his protection and care and fly silver banners, but there are those who are willing to fight against the tyranny of an archon who seems to wish to protect his people even against their own will. All it takes is a spark to cause the fragile peace to finally break..." |
| Satsuma | Senria | Aura | Okabe Tenno | June 21, 2021 | "A feudal society of independent lords known as Daimyo with a strong-clan based and warrior based society, although in times of piece the combat is largely relegated to duels and bladework. Nominally under the control of the aura Archon, the Okabe Tenno, he does not take an active stance in ruling, instead using his court to focus on the patronage of art and culture. Recently, the ambitions of certain Daimyo recently have been increasing, especially with one who increases the centralisation of power within the Imperial Court and the nobles near the capital, and those who support the continued decentralization, but there also may be more sinister forces using the conflict to achieve their own ends..." |
| Amaria | Rahelia | Aqua | Astarte | February 4, 2022 | "The land of Amaria is filled with unforgiving deserts hostile to human life, where ancient scars from the War of the Numines exist in close proximity to a bustling civilisation. In the heart of the desert the ancient civilisation of the goddess of law protects the settlements around the oases as she has for thousands of years. However, on the coasts and along the rivers, the ever-changing and cosmopolitan mercantile culture that travels to distant oceans has become increasingly distant from the older heartlands. It is rumored that a new class of merchants, confident in the strength of their money and their cunning, have begun to spread ideas that perhaps Amaria can survive without its archon. This has sparked outrage from those who support the archon, and if the situation is not rectified, it could soon plunge Amaria into civil war..." |
| Mendemia | the Asterias | Fulmena | Incognito | July 17, 2022 | "A land of storms and wide grasslands and plains, known for its horse riding occupants and cavalry. A collection of city-states of diverse peoples, and known for inventions and machinery. Unlike other regions, there is no visible archon, and the people are known for being fiercely individualistic and independent. However, legends circulate that the archon walks among the peoples, assisting from the shadows- but no one knows their identity, leading them to affectionately refer to them as ‘Incognito’. However, with recent movements causing dissent and unrest in the cities, some have begun to wonder if there may be danger to going it alone..." |
| Geguo | Southeast Coius | Vita | Ngadao | 2023 Winter (Scheduled) |
"Vast and diverse, Geguo stretches from sunny treetops to dank, fungal caves, with different tribes inhabiting its many locales. Travellers will meet the bright-eyed canopy-dwelling Jedubians, the soberly studious Trunkdwellers, the mercantile caravan-borne Mhaunio, and the mysterious Spelunceans. A fertile, prosperous land, Geguo is probably the most populous realm, and has received many refugees over the years. Ironically, it has seen the most changes of archon, with eight since the Turmoil. Every few hundred years, the archon returns to the soil, and a new one soon emerges from the trees, like the ripening of a fruit. But this orderly succession threatens to be interrupted, as for the first time, there is real dispute over the identity of the new archon, and other strange changes take place in the forests..." |
| Neige | East/North Euclea | Gela | Marianne | 2023 Summer (Scheduled) |
"Neige is a cold and barren land, but has found that what it could not be produced by itself could be purchased for others. Notably, they are the first region to develop banks; it is said that the current Archon, Marianne, was the creator of the world’s first bank. The currency of Neige is the currency of the world, and merchants can be found across the world. However, this region is as harsh as its environment- to survive and thrive requires resource and cunning, as well as cold, uncaring money. But those with ambition and skill, no matter their background, may be able to carve a niche here..." |
| Houzai | Southwest Coius | Igna | Vacant Shenjing† |
2024 Winter (Scheduled) |
"The land of fiery passion and extremes Huozai was for centuries controlled by the mighty archon-warrior Shenjing, who had put down all rival gods and powers to establish a well-ordered and populous but despotic empire over various peoples. However, shortly before the events of the story, Shenjing was slain by an unknown agent or force, sending the realm spiraling into chaos. Various factions and authorities now vie for power as society has mostly collapsed, with several claimants aspiring to take the celestial power of the former archon. Caught between those wanting to restore the empire, those seeking to take power for themselves, groups that want independence, and those who just want to survive, the land of fire is now a land in flames..." |
Plot
Five millennia prior to the events of the story, the Turmoil swept over most of the world, ravaging the civilisations which had begun to flourish for under the two-millennia long peace of the first Archon system, toppling the world into chaos. Five of the seven regions were overrun with their archons cast down by a mysterious power known as "the ruin". Eventually, the "Hero", according to legends "sent from the heavens", brought peace to the realms with his divine elemental powers and his fabled "seven companions". With the help of the remaining and newly selected archons and numines, the Hero vanished, with the seven companions rebuilding each of the regions to the best of their ability. However, the war had heavy costs, depleting the strength of many of the numines, with the nations not as united as before. Over the centuries, only one of the new archons selected during the Turmoil would remain, as others would be lost in wars, struggles, or due to other causes. However, the "Great Promise of the Hero" prophecy has been handed on, saying that when the time comes the Hero will return and save the world from another Turmoil.
Prologue
The game opens with a playable sequence of an unknown mighty warrior of fire battling against a series of quick moving shadows in a great palace. No matter how many are beaten back or slain, more still come. Despite a furious and valiant resistance, the warrior is stabbed through the back by a mysterious man dressed in purple. Before the warrior finally dies, a voice whispers, "The old order shall pass away". The dream is interrupted suddenly by a voice, causing the player character to wake up. It is the present day, and the voice is revealed to be Monika, Valens's childhood and best friend in the Aurian village of Boyan, sitting by his bedside, wishing him a happy eighteenth birthday.
Downstairs, he finds his father Lucius sitting at the table waiting to talk with him. Because it is his eighteenth birthday, Lucius tells his son that he is not in fact his biological son, but instead a baby boy in the crater left behind by a meteor he and his late wife Violeta had found. The two had agreed to protect the boy and settled down in the village of Boyan. With Valens now being a man, Lucius believes that he is finally ready for the information, letting him know that Violeta's last wish before her death six years prior had been for Lucius to let him know. However, he warns his son that this knowledge is precious, and bears close resemblance to the legends, most importantly the Great Promise.
Overwhelmed by the news, Valens decides to walk by himself into the nearby forest for some quiet, although he is soon joined there by a worried Monika, who has been looking for him, concerned with his absence from the village. Valens tells her about his dream and about his feeling that he has always felt a calling from a higher divine power. Monika supports him, telling him she will happily follow wherever he will go in order to discover who he is and his role and purpose in the world. After battling a group of wild beasts, they see rising smoke coming from the village. They find the villagers hopelessly fighting off forces in silver armour. Despite joining in the fight to save the villagers, the captain of the group kills Lucius.
Valens makes a desperate prayer to the divine, before receiving which allows drives back the assault group and slays the captain, saving the remaining villagers. Although many villagers died, Valens was able to heal the wounds of the wounded. The villagers proclaim that he must be the Hero of the Great Prophecy, the one to wield the power of the Divine. Valens denies the claim, but he and Monika agree to lead the surviving villagers away from the ruins of the village to safety. After burying the dead, the villagers begin their journey away from home to warn of the attack, knowing that the long-expected war between Auria and Argentia was about to blow open in full force.
Act I: The Price of Preservation
The survivors make their way to the town of Recea, where the military force of Auria, known as the the Companions of the Golden Throne were located. The town's Margraf (Margrave) Ștefan Grădișteanu, was a strong advocate of war against Argentia, while the Imperial commander, elderly but respected Knight-General Leo Verginius, was opposed to rashly going to war. Upon arrival, Margrave's forces take them in for questioning, and after learning of their situation, asks the villagers to spread far and wide the news of the attack on the village in order to provoke a war. Most of the villagers agree, although the refusal of Valens and Monika result in their clandestine imprisonment. The pair are soon freed from prison by Verginius, who explains the precarious situation in the town and the Empire, and his concern that there is a force in the shadows trying to manipulate the situation- and that he cannot trust many of the men underneath him. Verginius speculates that it could be a attempt to deliberate drag both powers into war with each other, claiming that the reports of the villagers will inflame the passions of the townspeople and military forces, and says that it might be beyond his power to stop it now.
Leo agrees to protect Valens and Monika before leaving. The pair meet Elizabeth, his personal retainer, sworn sword and unofficial squire. Elizabeth says the she grew up in the bitter conditions of Neige, and was raised from birth as a servant in the household of one of the richest men in Neige. A very dutiful and dedicated, her life changed when she obtained the power of Terra, gaining with it supernatural abilities and strength. Although her dedication to her master never faltered, when her master ordered her to begin murdering his business rivals, she refused and was forced to flee and was found in Vetia by Knight-General Leo. Leo took her in as his retainer and began to help train her to understand her new powers and how to protect herself with a blade, leading her in turn to desire to become a Knight-Companion herself one day in order to help others in their plights.
Leo soon returns, and warns them that they should make their way to the city of Aevitas, the Imperial Capital, and bring it to the Emperor directly, as the town was no longer be safe for them to remain, and gives them a letter. At that moment, forces led by both the Margrave and Verginius' second in command, Captain Opiter Plarius, declaring the Knight-General "under arrest" for treason. Verginius, saying they uncloaked their conspiracy at last, ordered Elizabeth to escape with Valens and Monika and protect them while he stood his ground to bide time. After fighting their way out of the town, the group makes their way to Aevitas, the largest and oldest city in the world. They hear reports that the border forces are beginning to march to war, and find themselves as wanted criminals by order of acting-general Opiter Plarius as the murderers of Knight-General Verginius. Overcoming adversities but also helping those in need, they make it to the city and manage to sneak inside.
In the capital, are stopped by a wandering samurai named Saori Suzuha, a undefeated bounty hunter determined to find someone worthy of her skill with the blade. Valens agrees to fight her in a one-on-one duel, without the interference of either Monika or Elizabeth. After a long duel, Valens is able to best Saori, who submits and asks to be slain as the price of failure. However, Valens refuses, instead offering her the chance to join as a companion, saying that he is not a murderer and was falsely accused. After showing her the letter from Verginius, he lowers his sword and tells her to strike him down if she still believes that he was the one who committed the crime. Saori refuses to strike, and admits that he is a man of honour, and that she would become his vassal unless he strayed from the path of righteousness.
Saori suggests that Valens, in order to prove his innocence and protect him against those who would oppose him, publicly proclaim his right to trial before the Emperor himself, a right which he has as a citizen. The group makes their way to the Golden Palace, where they demand to be given a trial directly before the Emperor in public view. Before word reaches the Emperor, soldiers capture and take him into the Imperial palace. A council of members of the Imperial court debates whether or not to honour his request. The Emperor's chief aide Cato Vicarius and the members of the Church argued that they must be tried before any action is taken, but the majority of the court showed support in favour of immediate execution. However, at that moment, Archon and Emperor Constans himself makes an surprise appearance, stunning the room into silence. Constans announces that he accepts the trial and will judge it personally, as the the citizen has under the law requested a trial by the Emperor, announcing that the group will be under his protection until the trial could be commenced and that he will be doing a full investigation if any harm is to come to them.
With the pro-execution crowd now silenced, Constans takes his leave, leaving them in the care of Lord-Commander Cornelius Juventius of the Companions. Juventius, although saddened at the loss of Verginius, examined them about the truth of the allegations was established. After a thorough interrogation, he tells them that he believes they are telling the truth, and takes them outside of the Imperial palace, because is not safe to meet in any of the major places. He tells them that the Emperor's intervention has broken the recent solitude which the Emperor has been confining himself in relative seclusion for in recent months, barring to Vicarius and several other trusted officials. Rumours that strange things have been happening in other nations have also been reaching Vetia, and the recent outbreak of war has only further thrown the Imperial court into further division and uncertainty. He escorts them to a safehouse, for a meeting with Augustinus Marcellus, Pontifex of the Church Imperial, and Theophilus Alexander, the Rector of the University, the world's premier centre of intellectual knowledge and learning. He tells the two that Valens and the others can be trusted, and the three figures explain to them the situation in Auria.
They explain that even despite being three of the "big six" of the most important figures of Imperial authority, they are forced to meet in secret because there were very few they could trust in the tense situation of the capital. Of the other members of the government, only a handful such as Cato Vicarius can be trusted, and that the Imperial Court was filled of pro-war spies. The four companions have become unwittingly the center point in a major conflict between the powers that be within the Empire. With the most recent outbreak of the war, the influence of the war faction was growing exponentially, even within the Church and the University, who had previously been the strongholds of opposition to it. The Emperor's anti-war policy had long been known; but more and more people were agitating for war, and rumours of removing those in opposition to were growing. Knight-General Verginius had been specifically appointed by the Emperor in order to provide a cool and cautious figure who could keep violence from breaking out, and his murder would definitely fit into the interests of the pro-war faction. Even worse, it was likely some outside force had infiltrated the Imperial system, and was using their agenda to push their agenda from within; the murder of a Knight-general was a significant event.
At the moment, masked assassins break into the building. Although the group manage to fight them off, Alexander is wounded in the fight and realises that he is under the effect of poison. Although there is no evidence of anything on the assassins of who sent them, that there conspiracy against their lives is made evident. Taking the wounded Alexander to the Citadel of the Companions, meeting Victoria Quirinia, a Knight-Champion of the Citadel and a member House Quirinii, a family of divided loyalties between Archons Constans and Callistus. Victoria, upon seeing Alexander's condition, says that she knows of a person who could heal him. Victoria takes them to another temple located in the capital. dedicated to the vernation of Callistus, built before the schism of the two archons. Victoria introduces them to her sister Lucia, a great healter who is a priestess of the Cult of Callistus on visit from Argentia but unable to leave because of the outbreak of war. Lucia's healing manages to save Alexander, and the group thanks her for her efforts in healing, and Juventius agrees to protect her and promise her safe passage back to Argentia.
Heading back to the Citadel, they are met by a sizeable group of Companions lead by Knight-Captain Nestor Phocas, who inform Juventius that he has been demoted as Lord Commander by order of the Emperor himself, and that the custody of those waiting trial is given to the new Lord Commander of the Companions, Giovanni Morosini, Knight-General of the southern Imperial forces. Since Morosini was stationed far away, temporary leadership would fall to Phocas, a pro-war advocate and commander of the Palace Guard. Juventius demanded to see the written order, claiming it to be a hoax, causing a standoff until Victoria stepped in and said that that more proof would be needed. The testimony of the Lord-Commander and Champion of the Citadel caused the soldiers turned on Phocas, forcing him to withdraw.
-Speaks with Constans, who asks him about the details about the attack (seems saddened by the onset of the war) and the nature of his powers, warns him about how people will seek to exploit his powers and informs him of the prophecy and explains (in general terms) the legend of the hero of 5,000 years ago. Offers Valens his support, and warns Valens that if the time of the next hero is upon the world, he would have a long and hard journey ahead of him. Tells him that he believes something is off about the nature of the war, but cannot perceive what (does not believe Callistus would order the attack on the village); asks Valens to find the source of the problem
Act II: The Winds of Discontent
!Satsuma
Act III: The Drop that makes a Vase Overflow
!Amaria
Act IV: A Clear Sky Fears not the Thunder
!Mendemia
Act V:
The next planned storyline, set to be focused in the region of
Act VI: Melancholy Winter's Night
The penultimate regional story arc, set to be in the land of Niege.
Act VII: Fire and Blood
The last of the planned regional storylines, featuring the region of Houzai.
Act VIII: The Heavens Proclaim the Glory
The concluding storyline of the game, without much information other than the name revealed.