File: Myunit.png (109 KB, 360x162)

109 KB PNG

While Rene and (most of) her crew gets used to the terribly cold mountains of Tordo and head for its nameless capital, Cicero's investigative mind is put on looking over what they've learned so far about who could've stolen the last pages. To him, he points out to Rene, it's quite clear that whoever did this is someone seemingly-loyal to the Empire. No one else could've gotten INTO Xerxes' room, let alone defiled his personal artifacts without anyone learning of their existence. But who could've done such a thing..?

Dyrus and Laurise, meanwhile, help their mother wrap up the battle of the mountain pass, driving away the remaining Imperials and doing a headcount of those who have been lost. Biff and Byron are nowhere to be found, either miraculously among the living or identifiable among the dead, leading some to hold out hope, but others to doubt immensely. Regardless, they can't exactly afford to spend time searching for the Noban knights, and Hauteclere, having recently declared herself queen, steers her men forward to claim her new home, soon-to-be-formerly known as the Gerxel capital.

Samson and his pals ride towards the island hideout of Oswald Dory, Adelais pointing out that, even if weather and any number of things that could've gone wrong on their way to contact her father went wrong, they absolutely SHOULD have been back by now if they're not dead. And if they are dead, then it goes without saying that something very, very wrong has happened. None the wiser are they to just how late to the party they will be, but even still, none of them are terribly optimistic about the chances of finding a pretty sight on the isle of Oswald's hideout.

>A. Be Samson
>B. Be Dyrus

>>47747294
>B. Be Dyrus

File: dyrusportrait.png (4 KB, 128x158)

4 KB PNG

>>47747335
You are now Dyrus, and you must say, you're already feeling your new position in life immensely! Your mother is a historic revolutionary turned queen, making you and your sister royalty as well.

The nature of Felix's heritage causes more than a bit of a stir, even catching his aunt Fortune off guard. Still, though, knowing that the Empire will be after him from now on, she swears that... Well, that that won't happen. Felix, to his credit, shows no interest in being an evil emperor or anything of the sort.

You're still more than a little upset about the demise of that kindly Imperial healer at your own hands, but what Via said rings true in your heart. Even in this very battle, he's certain there were Imperial agents he would never know the names or stories of who could have been veritable saints, and you've been chugging through by telling yourself it's selfish only to mourn the one you knew.

As you ride towards the capital, your mother and Via help you and your sister grasp the theory behind staff usage, saying that it's something you MUST be proficient in as future leaders.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQtiSjGb74U

Learning this... Honestly, it helps you feel like you've overcome the rut you recently found yourself stuck in, like you're ready to start growing and getting stronger again now that you and your sister have the future of Teege on your backs!

>A. Spend time with someone (specify)
>B. Skip to the next relevant event

>>47747572
>A. Spend time with someone (Winona)

>>47747572
>A. Spend time with someone (Winona)

File: Wyvern_lordGBAIcon.gif (2 KB, 80x69)

2 KB GIF

>>47747796
You seek out Winona for one reason or another, finding her chatting with Belle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DPJuJXFEmY

"After this..." The pegasus knight says to the person you came by to see, "Director Belinda will be the final pillar of the Empire in need of toppling."

"I still can't believe you hate your own mother that much," Winona says back to her. "I mean, Director Belinda runs a tough ship, but..."

"You don't know what it was like, sharing a roof with her," Belle responds harshly, "and I would appreciate it if you didn't question me for indulging your desire to talk about the worst part of my life."

"Alright," Winona says, "sorry, I just... I guess I can't relate to hating your parents. I honestly wish I appreciated mine more, and..." Belle, looking frustrated, walks off, seemingly not noticing you. "H-hey, wait! Sorry, seriously!"

"...you alright?" You ask, stepping into the conversation just as it ends.

"Huh? Oh, Dyrus." Winona rubs her arm a bit, looking almost embarrassed. "Sorry you had to see that... A-anyway, what'd you need?"

>A. Just wanted to see her
>B. You want to know how to ride wyverns
>C. Write-in response
>D. Actually, you were looking for Belle (lie for some reason)

>>47747944
>B. You want to know how to ride wyverns

File: Wyvern_riderGBAIcon.gif (2 KB, 80x69)

2 KB GIF

>>47748077
"Well, it's just... I wanna know how to ride a wyvern!"

"You do?" Winona asks. "I mean, I'd be happy to show you, but I'd think Marduk or your mother would be a better teacher."

"No, I want it to be you!" You insist. "It's... Going to be a royalty thing for the Neirhalm family, I just know it."

"Again, then, I'm... Really not much of a teacher," Winona says. "If it's for something so important, you should absolutely learn from someone more skilled!"

"Winona, you have plenty of skill!" You insist. "I wouldn't want to learn from anyone but the friend I've fought alongside this whole time!"

Winona actually turns somewhat pink in the cheeks at the heaps of praise, before smiling and nodding. "Er... Yeah, absolutely, then! If it, eh, means that much to you, I mean..."

"It does! You work so hard at things, even when you're not good at them, and I want that feeling instilled in me!"

"Alright, alright, I said I would do it!" She says, sighing and looking really happy. "First thing after we've finished off Methodius, I'll show you how it's done!"

>A. Right!
>B. Why not start sooner?
>C. Write-in response
>D. ...

>>47748374
>A. Right!

>>47748374
>A. Right!
Ji

File: BonewalkerGBAIcon.gif (1 KB, 76x68)

1 KB GIF

>>47748500
"Right!" You say, holding out your hand for a firm shake of agreement, which Winona takes with a triumphant grin of her own.

"It's a deal, then!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_p_Ks9lUu0

With that agreement laid out, you and the rest of the higher-ups of the resistance forces plan for the upcoming battle of Gerxel Keep.

"We've struck a deadly blow against the Gerxel's forces with our most recent victory," your grandfather says, "but Methodius is currently overseeing the castle's security, I don't doubt he'll be spending his prep time cooking up as many undead monsters as possible to greet us on the way in. Bonewalkers, Wights, Revenants, Entombed, Dracozombies... So long as the person who summons them continues to exist close enough to them, they will not stop fighting until they're cast back into the earth by force."

"And that's not even mentioning the Deadlords," Laurise adds. "To our knowledge, they've raised at least eight of the twelve, possibly more, and even one makes for a fiercely powerful opponent with nowhere near the same limitations as ordinary summons."

"Right... It's very likely that we'll see familiar faces if the Deadlords are deployed," your mother says. "Do your best not to think of it as them, but as an insult to their memories, to their eternal rests, and put your fullest efforts into returning them to the grave."

"From what I can gather about the range of Methodius' summoning," Felix speculates, "assuming he's sitting safely in the castle, his undead minions won't be able to cover the entire city, merely the area immediately surrounding the palace. It's more likely that the human guards of the castle will be stationed in the city proper to compensate for this."

>A. Just keep listening
>B. Make a suggestion (obviously requires a suggestion)
>C. Write-in response

>>47748815
>A. Just keep listening

>>47748830
"Ever since we came to the capital, the Empire's plans have largely been comprised of grandiose last-ditch efforts to throw the last of their might at us," Darren observes, "but... Methodius is a very controversial figure, especially as of late. I don't doubt that the usual castle guard will be displeased with being demoted to make way for undead guards, especially considering all of his recent atrocities coming to light. Morale will be low enough that it may even be wise to consider the remaining city guards as potential assets of the resistance."

"Let's not bank all of our plans on this, though," Felix says. "We do not even know for certain that my theory is correct, let alone that they'll be willing to consider turning on Methodius."

There's a bit of a saying that's spread from the Lords of Chance to the resistance army: "If Felix is worried, we'll have no problems." The boy doubts his own luck and plans for the worst, so even in the VERY rare instances where he is rightfully cautious, they're prepared for the worst.

The air seems to clear, become MUCH less tense, as Felix doubts the likelihood of the guards joining your side, and as for cinching it... "Lemme try talking to their captain," Marduk offers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edZwy8A7aXc

"You?" Darren asks. "What makes you think you can convince them?"

"My sisters and I were like Imperial celebrities," Marduk assures your lot. "If I take Winona's squad and Nia with me, remind them of what cover-ups the Empire let happen, maaaybe point out the massive army knocking on the doorstep they were just kicked out of, they might at least look the other way until word comes from in the castle that Methodius isn't the boss anymore."

"I didn't take you for a negotiator," Laurise remarks.

"Hey," he says, "you don't get to be assistant-director without leadership skills."

>A. We should let him!
>B. You're not so sure it'd work...
>C. You wanna see this
>D. Write-in response
>E. No comment

>>47749198
>C. You wanna see this

>>47749198
>C. You wanna see this

File: WarriorDS.png (3 KB, 72x73)

3 KB PNG

>>47749295
"I wanna be there for this!" You say. "I mean, if we get the people of the capital to side with us against Methodius, that'll be the first time we've made peace with members of the soon-to-be-former Empire-"

"Wolfskin," Laurise interrupts, "did you forget about them?"

"-as a kingdom, if you would let me finish. And I mean... They just sort of agreed to stay out of our way, not join us wholesale."

"...right." Your sister turns toward your mother. "Should we let him?"

"If Marduk sees no harm in it," Hauteclere says, "then it would be an excellent learning experience. Dyrus hasn't sat in on as many negotiations as you already, Laurise, so he could certainly use the experience. That being said, in case something goes wrong..."

"Way ahead of you, Hauteclere," Darren responds. "I'll have myself, Belle, and Via come along as well. If you don't hear word back from the negotiations in under four hours, assume we were... turned down."

You kill some time until it's time to shove off, scouts confirming that, yes, indeed, disgruntled castle guards are patrolling the streets of the capital city. That's about all the word Marduk needs, gathering up his sisters, his sister's quartet of wyverns, you, Belle, and Via.

This leaves the question, however, of who you'll be riding with on the way there.

>A. Marduk
>B. Winona
>C. Nia
>D. Belle
>E. One of the nameless riders, conveniently close to [Via or Darren]

>>47749429
>A. Marduk

File: PegknightDS.png (3 KB, 72x73)

3 KB PNG

>>47749544
"Still such an inspiring sight... Little Izzy carving out a name as a prince's personal bodyguard," Marduk teases your purple-headed pegasus bodyguard. "It feels good, doesn't it? To, uh, be a big shot."

"Don't call me Izzy," she responds.

Via, riding with her, pats Belle's shoulders, "Belle, he doesn't know."

Belle simply harumphs, gives you one last look, and has her pegasus move out of conversational range.

"The, uh..." You begin to fill Marduk in just moments too late. "Belle really doesn't... Like talking about when she was growing up. A nickname I assume comes from Isabella probably doesn't make her feel that good..."

"Huh, really? Shit, my bad." Marduk sighs, rubbing his chin. "I gotta make it up to her sometime, then... I mean, when she was little, she just got real flustered and nervous whenever I called her that. Hair was way shorter, too..."

That sounds... Very unlike the Belle you know, in multiple ways.

"I don't blame her for being bugged by it, though," Marduk says, "Belinda is just... Insufferable. Ya smile and nod around her so you don't lose your head, but about the only person she ever treated half-decent if she wasn't trying to kiss ass was Nia, and then she marks her for death because she gets captured on a scouting mission. Hate to think what it'd be like growing up with her when adults are nervous about her telling 'em what to do."

>A. Yeah...
>B. Kindly encourage him to just keep his distance from Belle
>C. Jealously encourage him to just keep his distance from Belle
>D. She wouldn't like it if we knew we were talking about that
>E. Write-in response
>F. Change the subject! (specify subject)
>G. ...

>>47749729
>A. Yeah...

>>47749729
>A. Yeah...

File: SoldierDS.png (3 KB, 72x73)

3 KB PNG

>>47749931
"Yeah..." You nod. "Winona tries her hardest to be friends with her, but a lot of the time it just makes her more upset."

"Yeesh," Marduk says, looking over to the pegasus knight, "alright, yeah, then, I definitely need to tread carefully if I don't want her hating my whole family's guts."

The conversation sort of fades out from there, not even picking up when the lot of you lands on the edge of the city. Still, though, seeing the normally-indifferent-looking Marduk's posture shift, demeanor change, his everything begins to project charisma.

Dismounting, you're soon approached by a similarly-sized lot of ordinary-looking soldiers, led by one woman who appears to be a halberdier. Also sticking out to you in their group is a very imposing-looking, silent fellow in heavy armor.

"Am I speaking to the captain of the castle guard?" Marduk asks.

"Town guard now," the woman corrects. "We're under orders to kill anyone who tries to enter the city without prior notice!"

"Something about your voice..." Marduk rubs his chin. "It tells me you're not terribly pleased with this whole... Everything. Go on, I'll lend you an ear and swear not to stab unless you stab first."

The captain looks pensive for several moments, before groaning. "I swear, I guard the Emperor's home for years, graduate from the same school as THE Lady Rene, finally work my way up to captain... And the old man demotes every one of."

"That's... Quite a bit of insubordinate talk," Marduk says, "very promising. The Empire's really gone down the tubes in recent years."

"Some Empire!" The woman shouts out. "We don't even have an Emperor anymore, just an old bastard of a mad scientist!"

"That's exactly the response I like to hear! See, the resistance has already accepted the aid of those who've abandoned the Empire more than once, and I'm certain Queen Hauteclere would be happy to put you and your men back in the castle."

>A. Keep listening
>B. Investigate the big knight
>C. Write-in action

>>47750051
>B. Investigate the big knight

>>47750051
>B. Investigate the big knight

>>47750141
>>47750145
I swear, almost any time Dyrus has a chance to listen in on negotiations, he ends up talking to a dude on the sidelines .

File: Mus.png (50 KB, 234x252)

50 KB PNG

>>47750145
While Marduk charms his way out of your mother's army leaving a good many more bodies in its wake, you're... Perhaps not as attentive as you probably ought to have been. The big scary guy, something about him just... Commands your attention. Belle and Via, too, take note to your wandering over to him, hurrying to your sides as you do this.

He's... Covered head-to-toe in armor, but you swear you recognize him from somewhere anyway. As you get close enough to check this out, he shoves you back without a word, but definitely with plenty of might to his push.

Lucky the lot of you were so close, though, since you're able to notice the twitch of his hands as he reaches for his spear, head fixed towards the captain of the guard. Calling out, you warn everyone, "this guy's gonna attack!"

Thanks to your warning, Marduk is able to yank the captain out of the way of the armored fellow's spear. Attached to an odd-looking chain in a seam in his armor, the general retracts his weapon back into his hand with similar ease.

"What in the..." Separating from Marduk and pointing her Ridersbane forward, she demands to the man, "why are you being insubordinate?! I'm trying to get us our old jobs back!"

A voice you've only heard once before rings hollow and emotionless, yet also commanding and eerie, from within the armor. A mockery of Director Waldrick's stern tone. "Do not speak of insubordination, traitors of the Empire. Now, Equus, Gallus, come to me!"

In the slight distance, you spy a winged and a horse-riding pair of men hurrying closer, recognizing one even from this distance as the Deadlord who nearly killed Chiffon... Equus, you think?

Waldrick, er, Mus tosses his spear again, piercing the neck of one of Winona's wyvern underlings and pulling him back with the spear before shaking him off.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nx-4tBuXb4Q

>A. Attack Mus
>B. Hurry over, fight Equus/Gallus
>C. Order your group to fall back
>D. Write-in action
>E. Follow Marduk's lead

>>47750453
>A. Attack Mus

>>47750453
>A. Attack Mus

File: Excalibur_(FE13).jpg (180 KB, 400x240)

180 KB JPG

>>47750517
"You again, Waldrick?" You ask as you hoist up your Royal Axe, even knowing he won't respond. "Belle and I can beat you down just the same as last time!"

"Don't underestimate the Deadlords, Dyrus," Belle scolds, "last time, the key to his defeat was in a wound I doubt he'll still be as responsive to, not to mention Felix's magic."

"Then perhaps I can even the odds slightly," your grandfather offers, stepping in with a Silver Axe. "There's no way that chaining his weapon to himself doesn't impact his ability to aim, or even attack with any speed than what he already lacks."

"Right!" You agree, waiting for him to aim his spear at someone (Via, in this case) and toss it. While VERY quick, it's also highly telegraphed, and gives the other, more offensive three of you plenty of opportunity to strike him. Darren and Belle's weapons barely seem to register on his notice, but your axe is designed to tear through heavy armor and cavalry like butter, so... Yeah, you cut through his armor, visibly scarring the dead Director. He hardly flinches, though, merely taking a Hammer out with his free hand and trying to bash you with it. You swerve out of the way, noticing the wyvern trio fly into battle with Equus.

The town guard, fearful for their comrades if these Deadlords are among them, watching for betrayal, rush into the town, while the rest of Winona's squadron tries to rush Gallus, who is most definitely Denim, together...

A gigantic gust of wind means that Winona no longer has a squadron.

Seeing this sight fills Winona with a rage, and in the heat of the moment she breaks formation to rush Gallus with her own lance.

>A. Try and distract Gallus! (suggestions required)
>B. Keep focusing on Mus...
>C. Go and challenge Equus!
>D. Write-in response
>E. Stare in awe at the horrid sights

>>47750768
>C. Go and challenge Equus!

File: Great_knightGBAIcon.gif (2 KB, 76x72)

2 KB GIF

>>47750936
Your knee-jerk reaction is to protect Winona from this, but then you remember that she's the holder of Iote's Shield, even if your mother was holding onto it for the moment back in that last battle. Seeing Winona not get violently ripped to shreds by Excalibur, merely wounded, tells you you made the right call as you hurry towards Equus. Marduk and Nia, of course, IMMEDIATELY flew to Winona's aid, leading the trio to triangle attack Gallus into dropping his Excalibur, but that does leave Equus unchecked.

You're able to get a good look at Equus as you approach and challenge him, recognizing the king who gave you a symbol of trust and alliance between your resistance and Noba. King Augustus, eyes lifeless and flesh pale, swings his sword at you without a second thought, Darren rushing to your side as Via and Belle swerve and fly just out of the way of more and more of Mus' relentless attacks.

As Gallus switches between a myriad spells to try his damnedest to keep the wyvern trio at bay, completely shrugging off his injuries, you, Belle, Via, and grandpa are stuck between the young king and the old Director's ghosts.

"...I've got an idea," Dyrus whispers to your lot as they close in. "That hammer that Mus holds in his left hand... Your Royal Axe might cleave through armor with ease, but that thing looks like it could smash heavy armor apart wholesale. Belle, Via, you keep Equus from getting any closer. Dyrus, while I distract Mus, I want you to rush in there and try to cut off his hand, take his hammer for yourself, and then we can use it to kill them both."

>A. Got it!
>B. Is he gonna be fast enough to dodge that..?
>C. That's a bit of a longshot...
>D. A counter-proposal: (write-in suggestion)
>E. Write-in response

>>47751089
>B. Is he gonna be fast enough to dodge that..?

File: axelord.png (16 KB, 148x125)

16 KB PNG

>>47751138
"Wait, so you're... Going to be deliberately distracting him?" You ask. "He's pretty easy to dodge, but with how fast he throws that spear, and how you're starting to slow down..."

"I don't hear the rest of you coming up with better plans," Darren answers. "You've just learned how to heal. Be ready to do that instead of worrying about an old man getting hurt."

"Well, yeah, but mom's super far away!" You object. "Without the Staff of Katri, if you're hurt TOO badly, even Via and I couldn't save you!"

"We're doing this!" Darren shouts. "Hurry, they're closing in!"

Belle and Via take to using their most distracting moves to keep Equus at bay, Darren rushing forward as you go slightly to the side, admittedly more than a little nervous about this.

"You're a good man, Director Waldrick," grandfather says to him. "If there's any of you left in your body... You would be happy that we're doing this. You raised Rene as well as you could, and for that you deserve your eternal rest." Raising his axe as Mus raises his spear, he hurries towards him. "On the same number, maybe this is what I deserve!"

Exactly as you feared, grandfather is pierced quite easily through the abdomen by the chain-spear, dragged into Mus' hand as he raises up his hammer.

That's your cue, you figure, to leap into the air and slash forward with your royal axe, the seams in Mus' armor lending well to literally unhanding him.

Due to the Deadlords' inability to feel pain, he doesn't even notice until he swings a hand-stub uselessly and misses your grandfather's skull, turning around just in time for a head-full of his own hammer.

The felled Mus and your grandfather fall in opposite directions, and Belle and Via continue keeping Equus away loyally.

>A. Call Via to your grandfather and attack Equus!
>B. Try to heal him yourself!
>C. Stand around like an ass!
>D. Write-in response!

>>47751318
>A. Call Via to your grandfather and attack Equus!

File: axelordcrit.gif (216 KB, 500x467)

216 KB GIF

>>47751365
"Via, grandpa's been impaled!" You call this fact to her attention, and she immediately turns her head to the sight and runs over to the critically-injured old man.

"Leave it to me, Dyrus," she says with an assuring smile, bringing out her Mend staff and getting to work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JL-N7bA9O6k

You, at the same time, stick to your grandfather's plan, hurrying forward and past Belle as she fences with the Great Knight. "Thanks for the Royal Axe, August!" You say with a smile as you hold up the Hammer. "As prince, I swear to follow your example, be a real people's prince!" Bonk.

You feel like this would've been more poetic with your Royal Axe, but grandfather's plan is entirely correct: the hammer DOES smash thick armor better than your personal axe cleaves big armor. Anyway, Equus falls all the same, and it certainly feels like a massive triumph.

Off in the distance, yet another triangle attack has finished off Gallus, and Marduk and Nia immediately rush to check on Winona's Excalibur wounds, rushing her over to you and Via.

"I've got this," you say, producing a Heal staff and making your future flight instructor's magic injuries go away... Mostly. You need to do it twice just to get everything.

Speaking of, your grandfather! The massive hole in his abdomen has closed up quite nicely, a pool of blood on the ground below and on the armor around the wound, on top of an elliptical scar.

"See, Dyrus? I told you there was... Nothing to worry about. Perhaps this is a sign that I ought retire soon, though..."

>A. He seemed pretty ready to die!
>B. You guess so!
>C. Ask a question (specify question)
>D. Write-in response
>E. ...

>>47751520
Vote time renewed.

>>47751520
>B. You guess so!

File: FatesMaidPortrait.png (31 KB, 256x256)

31 KB PNG

>>47751721
"Yeah, I guess... On, uh, both accounts!"

"...you did well, Dyrus," Darren smiles, struggling to his feet.

Winona, meanwhile, breaks down sobbing as the current battle fades away, and you join her siblings in comforting her. Belle raises an eyebrow at the scene before shrugging and joining in on the group hug. Losing four of her close friends and comrades in the blink of an eye must be... Well, nothing short of awful, so the lot of you figure she needs all the comforting she can get.

Before the sad-yet-heartwarming music can kick in, however, Via clears her throat. "Er, Lord Darren. Forgive me for asking something like this, but I couldn't help but overhear some... Strange things you said before putting your plan into action."

"S-strange?" Darren asks, bitter expression telling you he knows exactly what she means.

"Yes, most strange," Via repeats. "When you spoke to Waldrick's corpse, you... appeared to be thanking him for raising our current third-worst enemy?"

"...you overheard that."

"A maid must be vigilant, Lord Darren," she says. "Now, tell me... What does that have to do with you deserving a fate at the end of his spear?"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSbV5SyYnwY

>Character limit, continued next post

File: reneportrait.png (4 KB, 164x89)

4 KB PNG

>>47751935
"Er... Hey, yeah," you say, breaking away from Winona to chime in. "That is a weird thing to say... What's going on here?"

Darren groans. "Marduk, Nia, bring your sister back to tell the others what's happened. I need a moment with just us."

Marduk, Nia, Winona, and the lone surviving unmanned wyvern fly off together.

"Alright, they're gone... I suppose your mother and I couldn't have kept this a secret forever. As I've told you myself, my daughter in law was once a very different person. The entire point of what happened was to keep her reputation intact, so I won't digress on that any further."

"Just... Get to what this has to do with Rene!" You demand, on the edge of your... Wait, no, you're standing.

"I'll cut to the chase, then. Rene is your half-sister, and I was the one who convinced your mother to give her away."

From THERE, he begins the long version.

>To be continued next thread
Thanks for playing, everyone. As always, update twitter and ask.fm are qmgrandflocto, and I'll be around in-thread to chat for awhile.

>>47751948
Thanks for running.

Glad we're finally getting this reveal out in the open. Well, for the rebellion side at least.

>>47751999
Always a pleasure.

Ever since the pre-planning of the story, since I had ANYTHING in mind for this quest beyond "tell a story about this rebellion and the turbulent time following it," this was planned for the Imperial protagonist. In my head, he'd (funny story, planning the story I'd expected the chosen twin, if I even KEPT the twins angle, to be the girl and Imperial to be a guy. Wasn't leaning either way for Holmstead protag or scrapped fourth hero) find out much earlier on but also not give a shit in the slightest. Obviously things changed when "all three" was chosen and the quest's pacing was altered significantly in general.