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Today's side story goes way back to the very first chapter we did. It's none other than Russell, the scholar who stole a book and ended up being our first boss of the game!
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Dominic was the fellow Cyrus investigated in his Chapter 3. You know, the guy who translated "From the Far Reaches of Hell" out of desperation to buy medicine to save his sick daughter.
Somehow I completely forgot this guy existed. I don't think I even recognized him in my first playthrough in this side story.
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Russell's served his time for his crime, and seems to be trying to make a better life for himself. Perhaps we can help out a reformed criminal and get some of the information he needs.
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I don't see the harm in helping Russell out here. After all, it's not like we have anything better to do!
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That said, "Woodlands, Frostlands, and Cliftlands" are vague. Let's start with Bolderfall since that's one of the listed cities I looked up on the side story spreadsheet.
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Three new NPCs now show up in three different towns to give us some brief history lessons. Unsurprisingly, the Cliftlands hold some valuable ores and minerals, and not just the valuable trinkets that's been dug up in Quarrycrest! It explains how cities like Bolderfall and Quarrycrest can have so much prosperity, though with it also comes the dangers of what happens after everything runs out, as we've seen in Orewell.
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For the Frostlands, we'll be traveling to Stillsnow because why not?
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The Frostlands are called the Frostlands because it's frosty. Good to know! Also, the Frostlands being the site of Aelfric's descension likely explains how Flamesgrace came to be the spiritual capital of Orsterra.
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Our last stop is Duskbarrow, because it is our last stop.
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The Woodlands mostly consists of scattered settlements like Duskbarrow and S'warkii, with the big exception being Victors Hollow due to its reputation as a place for powerful warriors to prove their mettle, which also encourages commerce. Of course, S'warkii stands out due to the villagers' mastery with beasts, as we know well from H'aanit's story.
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Of course, Cyrus is not one to keep such knowledge to himself. He is glad to share knowledge with others, even a former foe like Russell.
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Russell made a terrible mistake, and though he's served his punishment, he still feels guilty for what he's done. Of course, there are many who feel the same way, and Russell's lucky to have met a kindred spirit in Dominic that's able to give him a new chance on life, so hopefully the two can redeem themselves in their own eyes. It's a nice capper to Russell's story and a way to show that people can do horrible things and actually grow from them, even if it doesn't happen as often as it should.
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The reward is meh, as we've already had a piece of this mediocre armor.
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While they're both still haunted by the mistakes of their past...
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...at least they're both finding the fire to continue on with their lives and try to do some good in this world.
Sorry, I had to, considering they both know the same fire spell and all.
Next time, we'll be revisiting the last tier of towns as we tie up loose ends and then take on the last bunch of side stories before we finally get to the final boss. Just ten updates to go!