I really don't know for which paths to vote, so I decided to discuss them all and hope somehow I end up with a decision.
So the path of the Two focuses on Ebira ? But who is the second ? Maybe Orie Redfist since she grabbed her after her father's death, but that seems weird. I doubt Ebira is particularly lacking in servants, and Orie seems more like a useful tool easy to manipulate than a close second-in-command.
This one is interesting for one reason mainly. Is there a combination of choices where we can achieve what no one else could : lead Aridon to take a reasonable decision regarding the future of the world ? Though I'm also curious about how far we can carry out his plans. Can we completely wipe out life in the world, or will we end with just Arkain being genocided and Aridon preparing for the sequel ?
I wonder what factions we'll get to play in this one. We'll most likely start with the Zirr Nexus, since they cooperated closely with Cora, but I doubt they're enough to take on the four. I hope we'll get to see a lot of alliances of convenience (like fighting with Zyainor in some battles against the undead, or the dwarves against the dominion, or even with the dominion themselves against the undead)
Seems very straightforward, but the mention of internal enemies seems interesting. Could be refering to Zoïa.
I wonder how central Gardon will be on that path. Because, while he is one of my favourite characters in the world of Arkain, he has already been very present, and I really hope his children get to shine and don't stay too much in their father's shadow.
I wonder what they'll do. They might go after Zyainor, but their position isn't really ideal for that, and Kerrel isn't exactly their biggest fan.
This path is quite novel for Arkain. The first and second books were definitely a story of armies and generals, with very few "heroes", with neither lands nor an army. I wonde if we'll have the opportunity to see them move from one side to another, from one conflict to another, and maybe even to choose where they go and who they'll help. I hope that, despite being focused on a party of heroes, this path will still have many RTS missions, maybe with more limited rosters (like helping/taking over a village's militia for a level).
I'm torn on whether or not to vote for this path. On the one hand, I feel it could be very cool to play other paths first, and maybe see glimpses of Veln or his actions on the world to feel even more curious about who he really is. But on the other hand, it would be a bit disappointing to learn too much of who he is from another path than his own. So I think I'll vote for him, but if other paths don't give too much away about him, I don't mind playing a few other paths before his.
In the end I voted for path of the Bloodclaw because I'm a Zyainor fanboy at heart, path of the Nameless for reasons stated above and path of the heroes because it seems really new. But honestly, all the paths seem interesting to me so I'd love whichever order Shar feels is narratively interesting.
). A father losing his first born son is never easy and I dread the confrontation that is set in motion between Bhaarizel's two proteges.
))
