Hello good morning, FalSe sMile here! 🙃
This section here is mostly a lore explanation. You can skip it and proceed to the actual story in the main chapters.
Just pull the chapter list on the left side of the screen.
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Well, you seem to be… interested in this?
Then allow me to begin this first episode of "Teach-me FalSe-sensei!" centered about Paths!
There should normally not be any story spoilers here, but do remember that I might talk about things the main-story can't explain in detail. I plan to make this a series if possible.
Hm…
So, about paths…
In chapter 2 sees his status screen in a shard of glass and notices a part named Path. Later on, in chapter 7, Momo explains what Muddy Tongues really are while extensively explaining the Purple Path.
Here, we will review all of this in a slightly less detailed way, but with more path covered.
So…
What is a path?
In this universe a path is essentially a type of connection someone has with the Light, the power contained into the Holy Box sent down by the Smiling One to save humanity when monsters first appeared thousands of years ago.
Hm? Ah, you are asking what it is leaving the complex lore behind? Erm, it is an indicator of two things:
1 . The kind of abilities the person can naturally use.
2 . Their lineage (somewhat optional).
What this means is that people of different paths can do different things with the system. Or rather, they can perceive the system differently.
For instance, someone of the Purple Path can 'see'the doors leading to spells and connect to them.
People of the Blue Path can see the weak points on every being and striking them deals a tremendous amount of damage.
And so on.
Every path has its own ability called by its color.
It is possible to use toned-down versions of other paths' abilities, but… should someone truly use a foreign path to its full extent, damage to the body and mind should be expected.
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How many paths are there?
As Momo explained in chapter 7, there are 6… MAIN paths. Yes, there are a few unusual paths here and there but those aren't the subject today.
Paths are divided into two groups called trinities.
The first of those trinities is called the dark trinity because most of its paths have something to do with the physical world.
Those are:
1 . The Red Path which allows its users to transform into a purer, stronger version of themselves, a form closer to the true nature of the soul.
In simple terms, it is the equivalent of those bosses that "turn red when they are low on HP."
Like a second phase…
Or just an acceleration or damage augmentation triggered by HP loss.
You should be familiar with those moments where bosses use devastating moves even though they should normally be crawling at that point.
This is that, but weaponized.
People of the red paths have thresholds in their HP bar that triggers different boosts or even transformations depending on the individual. Most people only have one though.
This path is the path used by many monsters among which humanoid monsters called demons.
The transformed forms are called Revelios.
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2 . The Green Path which allows its users to stock objects into spaces ignoring their size and weight.
In simple terms, that's the power to use the inventory.
However it can be used in rather inventive ways—one can stock the materials used for creating a sword such a way that they are fused together resulting in the finished product. This is called swordcrafting in universe even when it doesn't concern swords and a skill that made humans the dominant race in the world.
As you might have guessed, this is a path mostly associated with humans but it doesn't mean humans are all swordcrafters. Some humans simply use their skills to discard (totally disintegrate) items they come across or equip (store on their body or on other people's body) those same items.
The possibilities are endless…?
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3 . The Cerulean Path which I like to call the true blue path but… aesthetics… anyway, this path allows to link together two or more people on the level of their very being.
In simple terms, that is the power to create parties.
Have you never wondered how adventurers just start sharing their hard earned experience points out of nowhere?
Why even though one of the party members died during the fight, they are able to be revived after it if at least one party member is still alive?
That is it, it is the Cerulean's doing. It links souls making people become one while still being separated entities creating something called a Covenant.
Just like the Purple and the Green, this path has a technology associated with it—the Covenant's rings.
Wear one and you have established a link with someone else. The nature of said link can vary from parties, to contracts, and even marriage. However, one cannot take more than 4 covenants (5 if marriage included).
This path is characteristic of the Deep Ones, beings that could only be described as eldritch mermaids. They use the Cerulean to link all of themselves together in a gigantic hive-mind.
They are known as expressionless and unnerving even without factoring their true appearance. That being said, they tend to be very possessive with people they link with in any "meaningful" way.
Also, they made a fortune thanks to the guild/party system as well as the marriage one.
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Now, normally I should be talking about the paths of the light trinity, but that will have to wait until a bit later (I haven't slept the whole night and am writing this before going to look for a job—ah, sweet life…).
Let me know if you would like me to explain more core concepts like this in the future. 🤧
Well, see you in the next part.
FalSe sMile, off. 🙂