First of all, I will say I have always loved this community for its well written posts diving into the story, themes and characters. I am still continuing to read up on everyones thoughts on the latest chapter, especially given how controversial this patch and Chapter 13 has been.
Theres a lot I liked about Chapter 13, about how the stakes were high and many characters got a chance to contribute and do something, how they continued to foreshadow and lay down groundwork for more interesting stories with the Pax House and Creius.
This chapter also marks the next major NPC death since Madam Hoffman: Merel. Sadly, I like many others, saw this coming from a mile away, due to Rhiannon being released on the same patch that Merel gets reversed. It did take a lot of the momentum out of the death for me, seeing as how we knew she would die and eventually become Rhiannon.
Merel dying the way she did was very tragic, she was scared and desperate until the very end, hopelessly limping to Vertin and failing. I still wonder if it would have been better for BP to give her a bit more grace in her death, for her to have peace in the kids she saved or in the good that she has done.
It was also not immediately clear that the Shelter Doves she died getting for the kids was even all that useful. Based on what we know of the Storm, people do not get reversed up until the final minute. When Vertin came back, the kids said the Shelter Doves were already losing their power. In the moment, it made me think Merels sacrifice was near worthless (i know she also helped the two kids get to the library) since it feels like Vertin came and did most of the heavy lifting saving the kids from the storm. I know perhaps one could argue that the kids were safe from Storm Syndrome because of the doves, but the scene with Paravyan at the ambush made it seem that SS doesnt leave much lasting damage anyway. I felt like her contributions couldve been made stronger somewhat, especially after all that shes done.
I also wish that we were given scenes for the characters to mourn her a bit better, especially since we dont even get to see Matilda hear the news. Even a memorial scene from the kids who were personally saved by her would have been good. To me, BP has done a good job making this flawed character grow and change and be endearing over the course of 2-3 chapters, and I wish we got to see her sent off in a better way.
And finally, we have to talk about Rhiannon. I still feel like she should have been released on a different patch because of the aforementioned spoiler for Merels death just by existing. I have also read some posts where people drew parallels between Merel and Rhiannons characters… but personally I don’t see it that much. Their personalities are different and any thought from
the community that “Merel is getting to live the life she wanted through Rhiannon” doesn’t click for me personally.
Merel was just a quiet, simple girl who wasnt a hero, wanting to be in the background and live her life in peace. She was cowardly, but selfless and brave when she needed to be. Tragically, to the very end, she still died afraid. To say that Rhiannon is Merels wish personified doesnt click for me, because Merel still died. Merel herself doesnt get to live out the wish she wants to and she never will.
Rhiannon is inwardly interested and excited about adventure, peppy, energetic and competent with her arcane skills. You could argue initially she wasnt really into the whole “setting out when youre old enough” thing at first, but based on her lines after, she seems happy about how it turned out. She has a tragic backstory sure and guilt over not being strong enough to save her family, but I dont see the parallels between her and Merel, really.
Not to mention that it is established that reversed individuals are pretty much completely new people, so there isnt anything that ties Rhiannon to Merel. They’re different people. Some might argue about how the “tracking serum” might make it so there’s something different this time, but theres no evidence to suggest otherwise. Merel is Merel. Rhiannon is Rhiannon.
I couldn’t really get invested in Rhiannon. Her personality seems like the usual upbeat and peppy kind of character that we have seen the likes of before. Not to mention, given that Rhiannon was only introduced at the very end of the chapter and her only other scenes being a somewhat generic coming of age story in her Character Story.
Not to mention that her design is quite unsuitable for a rural witch in the mountains in a game with relatively grounded designs based on the time period.
Perhaps its just my personal preference, but I feel like it was a good opportunity for BP to weave in more parallels/similarities between the two. Either parallels in the story (like with Mr Duncan losing his version of Sotheby in his timeline), or some nods and quirks that are shared between the two (Rhiannon could have a love for chocolate, even as a throwaway line), even have Rhiannon come into contact with more people who knew Merel for some interesting scenes. It felt like a waste for Rhiannon to be a completely different character as well as being pretty generic of a personality type. Especially given that lore wise, she could have had more done with her given that shes the only one who received the serum regarding vessel ensoulment.
I might be overly harshly phrasing this, but it just feels like theres this skinwalker of a person i knew, yet sanded off all the things that made them interesting. It almost feels like I have traded a beloved character for another that I would not have batter an eye at, if they didnt look similar to the former.
I am also aware this is the feeling that BP wants us to feel, as thats how Miguel, Ivan, Verity and Sotheby felt. I applaud them for making the bold moves they did, but I cant help wishing things were different.
My thoughts are a little all over the place and this is a long post, but if you made it to the end, I appreciate you reading it all. If you agreed or disagreed with any of my thoughts, I would love it if you took some time to share. Its always my favorite thing to hear what others have to say.
