You get a taste of Verse and Barik's weird relationship early on. Barik tries to save Verse but she stabs him when he picks her up. He knocks her unconscious to drag her from the wreckage
Kills-In-Shadow's tribe plays a game called "rut-mate-slaughter", where out of a given number of people you chose for each action. Yes, it's the "fuck, marry, kill" meme, but played more literally, and it comes right out of nowhere.
Even funnier is the party's reaction to the game (You can have all the party members react by asking about the topic while at a spire):
Barik and Sirin ignore the game in disgust. Barik is rendered mute at the thought of playing, his expression one of disgusted horror. Sirin, meanwhile, reached for the Brain Bleach.
Lantry says that the whole thing is disgusting, commenting that he's old enough to be everyone's father. note Considering that he's 84 years old, he's probably old enough to be Eb's father, Barik and Verse's grandfather and Sirin's great-grandfather.
Verse mentions she played all three with a former Chorus gang leader, "Fine Ass": fucked them, had a long-term fling with them, then killed them.
Eb would rut Barik, because she feels it's time someone rapes Kyros' armies the same way they do others, slay Lantry because he's annoying and a Sage, and mate Verse to get half of whatever Verse conquers.
Kills-In-Shadow would rut Eb (hard), slay Barik because he's a Disfavored, and mate the Fatebinder because they're the alpha. (The Fatebinder's gender is irrelevant; she's attracted to their power and brutality.)
Asking Barik about the possibility of removing his armor causes him to confuse it for flirting with him.
You can also ask about how he... enjoys himself while unable to remove said armor, causing him to become flabbergasted and Verse to run for the Brain Bleach - which makes a lot more sense when you learn that they're actually half-siblings through their father.
Barik: If you ever think me frustrated or disagreeable, just imagine what I've dealt with since the third year of the conquest. Or more accurately, haven't dealt with.
Fifth Eye calls Death Knell "a biter" and tells you not to tell her he said that. You can tell her that anyway, at which she will describe what he does "by the tent flap" in revenge. The only thing we're told is, verbosely, is that we'll be needing the Brain Bleach.
The scenario she unfolds for you is horrifying in design and scope. Part of you wishes that you could purge it from your imagination - a once-peaceful domain now haunted by unwelcome details.
When you first start out, you're told you have 8 days to squash the rebellion. Since Kyros' day of Swords is a specific date that comes once a year, and the Edict doesn't specify a year, waiting past that day to read the Edict (which triggers it) means you then have a full year to fulfill it. Yes, you can exploit the system by slacking off for 8 days. Many people have assumed it was a bug at first, but it's actually a feature. And it is, in fact, the weakness in Kyros' Edicts and how you get to defy Kyros.
If you ask Lantry to teach you something about Terratus' history (and your Lore skill is high enough), you can listen patiently to the whole lecture, which is implied by the narration to take the better part of a day. It leaves the Fatebinder somewhat... traumatized.
(Lantry starts narrating Volume Three: Years 90 to 94) Haunting memories of Tunon's lectures creep into your mind. (Lantry eventually continues on a different tangent) Unlike Tunon, Lantry cannot kill you for walking out of a lecture. And unlike Tunon, Lantry has to eventually sleep. You've experienced worse. (After the Fatebinder asks yet another question, Lantry continues the lecture) From time to time, the wind picks up, the howling, biting breeze offers a momentary respite from the deluge of blather.
And after Lantry has succeeded in boring the Fatebinder to death, he complains that his voice needs some rest. At least, Lantry appreciates the Fatebinder's attention, as listening all the way earns you a lot of Loyalty with him.
Talking to Lantry about his magical knowledge with Sirin present can end up with her using her Compelling Voice to make Lantry spill his secrets by asking him to tell her his secrets. Lantry obliges. The ensuing lecture goes... Interesting places, and ends up traumatizing poor Sirin out of sheer boredom with its constant rambling asides.
Early on, you can toss a pebble at Raetommons' face. When you meet him again later, you can ask how his head is.
Eb: I heard he gets nothing but complaints. In fact, most people ask for their rings back.
The Cerulean Ink loosens the Fatebinder's tongue, letting them express thoughts and feelings they would never say out loud under normal circumstances. The results often veer into pure Black Comedy:
Lantry: Feel anything? Pit Fighter: One time, in the pit, my jaw was busted, so I couldn't close it properly. Then I had to bash a man's brains in, his skull and brains got in my mouth. So always close your mouth when you crush someone's head. War Mage: You've never know death until you stare the Bane in their empty holes for eyes. You think you've known hunger until it's torn at your flesh, begging to be sated on your blood. Hunter: Beastmen can smell water - plain old clean water - from leagues away. Did you know that? Course you didn't. Cultured folk never talk to the help, now do you? Die in a fire. Oh wait, you survived one already... (Choice 2) Did you know that, legally speaking, my word is the same as Tunon's word unless the Archon contradicts my word as Fatebinder? Rhogalus says the legal term for that is Proxy Decisis. Calio says the legal term is "fuck you, I'm the law". (Choice 3) What is Kyros' problem? Can't get off your damn throne and actually visit your subjects? How do we know Kyros isn't already dead? Or it's like a title that gets handed off mother-to-son. I spent three years slogging through the Tiers for this ass and you know what — I don't REALLY know if Kyros exists! (Choice 4)Like a double-edged sword?! Why is that used as a simile for something that can hurt you when you use it? You don't actually hit your enemy, then yourself, then hit your enemy, then yourself...unless you're an idiot. Sure hope that saying doesn't catch on for the ages. Lantry:(after hearing the Fatebinder's rant) On second thought, I shouldn't be poisoning your young mind. That should wear off in just a moment.
Meanwhile, the Red Ink gives the Fatebinder a brief but, er, interesting new outlook on their surroundings.
[The wind blows blue]voice The storm has bled, its foul rains have seeped into new roots, across your body as [your skin tingles with triangular, pointed sensation].voice What happens when an irresistible force meets an immovable object? Nonsense, Rhogalus said —in such case, either the force is resistible or the object is movable. Lantry chuckles, [the hearty guffaw sounding green, leathery, and mildewy to your ears].voice Burn away the clenched hand, and the bones will still clutch to the forbidden prize. The Archive foretold its own demise, preparations were made. Your fingers [itch with a salty, rusty flavors —tasting the air, feeling like ten tongues].voice They hate you... you'll never be accepted by them...but you know that, don't you? Cupping your hand to your forehead, [your fingers are deafened by the smell of your voice, boring through the muscles of your hand, deep into the bone].voice I bet he's watching right now... he's always watching... even during this war he still shows up. Seconds later, the sensation passes. Lantry: And now you know why I have this awful habit of chewing on the business end of my remex.
The parts in [brackets] are the points where something was interjecting in the Fatebinder's already chaotic thoughts.
The Sepia Ink is, according to Lantry, perfect for quiet contemplation.
Lantry: What do you think? (choice 1)[Think back.] (choice 2)[Look off into the distance.] (choice 3)[Drool quietly.] (choice 4)[Ponder your place in the world.] (choice 5)[Glare silently.] Lantry: I'd say it's working. Sit and enjoy that for a bit. It'll wear off soon.
Better yet, if you cultivate a certain reputation before you take this option, he'll think it has no effect on you.
Eb: ... the world would be at the mercy of my depravity, cursing the name of Eb, Archon of fecund fluids.
One of the disputes you can settle in Disfavored-controlled Lethian's Crossing is absurd to the point of hilarity. Two Disfavored soldiers insist that they brought shame on the legion through their actions but insist that one of them should take the worst blame. Their initial accounts are indeed damning, but if you let them talk, they will try to one-up each other, each story more ridiculous than the last, culminating in one of them claiming to have thrown a baby at their assailants to slow them down. At this point, the Fatebinder asks them to stop... or suggest that they fuck to clear the UST between them. And then can express pity for their commanding officer.
The 'correct' way to solve the arbitration also qualifies — suggest they fight an honour duel to settle the matter. The winner of the duel is the one who should be the most ashamed, for daring to go all-out on a comrade protected by Kyros' Peace.
It's possible for your Fatebinder to almost never say anything and just invoke glare silently during dialogue options.
If you glare silently often enough, others will notice. Eb tries mimicking you, and you can respond with advice, admonishment, or glare silently. And in the "Final Judgement" mission, Tunon will ask why you keep doing this. It doesn't really have any bearing on the trial — he's just that curious.
Bastard's Wound added to the hilarity by letting you answer that you learned to do it from observing him. Tunon's response is aDeath Glare.
At the very end of Act II, this gets taken to its logical conclusion during your conversation-meditation with the Mountain Spire. Note that the other options are Athletics and Lore checks to assert your will, or to just let the magic take over. This works just as well.
Option 3: [Glare at the Spire and become one with the silence.]
Kills-in-Shadow gives Graven Ashe a long speech about how she will relish dismembering him. What really sells this is one of the Fatebinder's potential responses.
Option 1: Yeah. What she said.
Option 4: [Attack in total silence.]
You can convince a being of pure logic and justice via Logic Bomb that you were following the will of the Overlord by rebelling against their authority, subverting their WMD magic spells, killing and/or vassalizing some of their most powerful Archons, setting yourself up as Lord of the southern realms, and murdering *heaps* of their soldiers. Tunon will note this "in defiance of all expectation and reason."
Obsidian released a video of voiceover bloopers, and it is hilarious.
D.C. Douglas: [as Lantry] "Scholars hypothesize the Scourges are born of magic. The Oldwalls and their—" Ooh, shit. Crech? Creché? [voice direction corrects] Crèche? Crèche. Somebody’s gone to school... it wasn’t the actor.
Ray Chase:[as Tunon] "The court may never recover from this blow, but at least I [stilted, unsure] can seek some final—satisfaction—out of you—" [realization] and now I understand the line better!
Eden Riegel:[as Sirin] "You can’t be serious, Fatebinder. Don’t ask me to do this." [prolonged gasp as voice direction explains what is about to happen] Aurgh... What the fuck man?! This shit just got real!
Kirk Thornton:[as Graven Ashe] "Perhaps another catastrophe that will punish our foes for hiding behind their [sudden inflection] walls?" [laughs] I got to the— [laughs again] I saw the question mark way too late! [continues laughing]
Patrick Seitz:[as Barik] "And the strength of our legion, is in—" [bumping sound] me hitting the mic stand, boomshakalaka.
Asking Sirin what she thinks of Eb while they're both in the party results in Sirin speculating which of them would win a duel between them. Eb immediately chooses to interpret thisas innuendo and begins flirting with Sirin, reducing the Archon of Song to a blushing, stammering mess.
If you bring Verse with you to Blade Grave while allied with the Disfavoured, she'll get impressed with Elia's vocabulary and suggest you invite her along. Which you're then allowed to do.
The Fatebinder: This may come a bit late, but would you be interested in joining my party?
The name of Lantry's otherwise fairly serious second companion quest in Bastard's Wound is "Annal Sects".
Your encounter with The Voices of Nerat (or rather your acid trip of Lantry's memories about them) in the same quest is similarly hilarious, because they're aware they're your hallucinations. The whole conversation with them becomes an example of In-Universe Meta.
If you take the Rebel path, sooner or later you'll return to Ascension Hall to find Tarkis Arri and one of your newly won allies in a spat. If you choose to tell Tarkis that you left her in charge to keep the Coalition in order, Barik will chime in that the entire Coalition needs a good whipping into shape. Sirin (if she's in your party with him) will then wonder aloud if Barik enjoys that kind of stuff. You're then allowed to join in on her side, causing both Barik (and Verse, if she's in your party) to get extremely uncomfortable.
At the end of Act II, when the Mountain Spire fully awakens to you, the game describes the experience as "a sound like music... [but] painful and disharmonious to your ears". If Sirin is in your party, she interrupts this awe-inspiring moment to give her own opinion:
Sirin: Well, this is shit! You'd think a Spire would know some better songs, but I guess there's no accounting for taste."
Some of the party members' in-battle lines can be pretty funny.
Sirin: Dodging is so unfair!
Lantry: I'll omit that from the record...
Eb: This weapon is like nipples on men: useless.
Lantry: If I had kids, they'd be feeling that one...
