Consulting a Ghost was a virtual representation of one of Kassandra's genetic memories, relived by Layla Hassan in 2018 through the Portable Animus HR-8.5.
Description[]
Kassandra travelled to the Sanctuary of Delphi to seek the Pythia for advice.
Dialogue[]
After searching Elpenor's home for clues, Kassandra sought out the Oracle of Delphi. She arrived at the sanctuary.
- Kassandra: I hope this oracle gives better news than the one in Sparta.
Kassandra passed by the temple.
- Kassandra: The Sanctuary of Delphi. The gods themselves watch over this land.
Barnabas awaiting Kassandra with a stranger
She walked to the back, where Barnabas awaited with a stranger.
- Barnabas: Kassandra, isn't this remarkable? We're so close to the gods, I can feel Apollo all around me. How did it go with Elpenor?
- Kassandra: We can talk later, in private. Who is this?
- Herodotos: Just a simple pilgrim.
- Barnabas: He just saw the Oracle. I couldn't help but ask if she's as glorious as they say.
- Kassandra: Well, is she?
- Herodotos: She left me with more questions than answers.
- Barnabas: That's the Oracle for you!
Herodotos looked at Kassandra's spearhead held at her back, then at Barnabas.
- Herodotos: You weren't lying. It really is the spear of Leonidas.
- Barnabas: I may have mentioned you.
- Kassandra: Maláka! Barnabas, use your head!
Herodotos slowly reached out to the Spear of Leonidas.
- Herodotos: How...
- Kassandra: One more move, and the spear will be at your throat. Tell me your name.
- Barnabas: I also mentioned you can be a little defensive.
Herodotos revealing his identity
Herodotos unveiled his hood.
- Herodotos: My name is Herodotos. I'm a story teller, or I was. This war is forcing us all to new extremes.
- Kassandra: That much is true. Why are you hiding your identity?
- Herodotos: I'm here on behalf of a man in Athens. A very powerful man. We intend to finally end this war.
- Barnabas: You told me you came to ask the Oracle a personal question.
- Herodotos: War is personal, Barnabas.
- Kassandra: So you came to seek the Pythia's guidance on how to end this war?
- Herodotos: I did, though something is wrong in Delphi. Guards at every turn, people being turned away...
- Kassandra: You don't seem convinced the Pythia can be believed. What did she tell you?
- Herodotos: I asked her to show the path to the war's end. She said "Spring should not wish for winter, as it brings death with it."
- Barnabas: Such wisdom... I don't understand a word of it, but that's why she's in there and we're out here.
- Kassandra: I know a threat when I hear one.
- Barnabas: You were on Kephallonia for too long.
- Kassandra: This line is ridiculous! Are there always this many people to see the Pythia?
- Barnabas: These are more than just people! Every city sends a theoroi, or sacred ambassadors, to seek guidance on behalf of their people. The Pythia not only shapes the destinies of individuals, but of the entire Greek world.
- Herodotos: Imagine what power one would have if they controlled what came out of her mouth.
- Barnabas: Apollo controls this!
- Herodotos: Of course he does.
- Kassandra: Delphi is nothing like they say. Has it always been like this?
- Barnabas: No. This was once an open and welcoming place. But war changes things. People seek out the Pythia for more political reasons. Prophecies in times of war often stir... violent emotions.
- Herodotos: It's wise to keep your blades sheathed. Drawing blood in Delphi is considered an insult to Apollo. Punishment is severe.
- Kassandra: I have my own questions for the Pythia. But this line! I'll be an old woman by the time I see her.
- Barnabas: You're joking! You carry more blades than a field of grass!
- Kassandra: I didn't come here to start trouble.
- Barnabas: Trouble? Just walk in! Who's going to stop you? The priest?
- Kassandra: All right, but if things get out of hand, I'm blaming you, Barnabas.
- Barnabas: Is she not every bit as great as I said?
Kassandra seeking access to meet the Pythia
Kassandra made her way to the priest at the entrance.
- Kassandra: I'm here to see the Pythia.
- Maron: Only those chosen by the light of Apollo may enter.
- Kassandra: How does one get chosen?
- Priest: One goes to the back of the line.
- Kassandra: Do I look like someone who waits in line?
The priest allowed her to enter. Kassandra found the Oracle chanting in candlelight.
- Pythia: Enter into the light of Apollo, the light that illuminates shadow. Choose your question wisely, mortal. For you have but one. Speak truth seeker!
- Kassandra: I lost my mother when I was young. I have to find her. Where is she?
The Pythia
- Pythia: It's you! From the visions! The child on the mountain.
- Kassandra: How could you know that?
- Pythia: You need to leave. Now.
- Kassandra: Leave? Do you have any idea what I've been through to get here?
(If Kassandra let the priests execute the infected Kephallonians)
- Pythia: Oh, but I do. I saw you feign ignorance in Kausos. You let an unknown sickness govern your decisions. Innocents died thanks to you.
(If Kassandra saved the infected Kephallonians)
- Pythia: Oh, but I do. While in Kausos, you didn't cower in the face of the priest. A child and her family still live thanks to you.
(If Kasssandra spared the thieves in Megaris)
- Pythia: Oh, but I do. There is wisdom in your decisions. Any other misthios would have killed those people in that cave in Megaris, but you held back for the truth, and balanced judgement with their lives.
Thr Pythia escorted away
The guards took the Pythia and escorted her from the room.
- Kassandra: You never answered my question!
- Cult Guardian: The Pythia is done for the day.
- Kassandra: I'm not leaving until I get answers.
Despite her protests, Kassandra is removed from the building, only to find Herodotos still outside the doors.
- Kassandra: Herodotos, you're still here. Where's Barnabas?
- Herodotos: He's gone back to your ship. You don't look happy with your prophecy.
- Kassandra: She... knew who I was.
- Herodotos: She's the Pythia, it's her business to act like she knows you.
- Kassandra: That was no act. She said she had visions of me as a child on a mountain.
- Herodotos: What child hasn't stood on a mountain?
- Kassandra: I was thrown from that mountain. My life started and ended on that mountain. I'm telling you, she knew who I was. What I'd done. Tried to warn me...
- Herodotos: Warn you? About what?
- Kassandra: She mentioned the Cult of Kosmos. Does this mean anything to you?
Herodotos informing Kassandra of the Cult
Herodotos looked around for eavesdroppers, then motioned Kassandra further away from others.
- Herodotos: I'd heard whispers. A cult, unlike any other, coming to Delphi. But I paid them no mind.
- Kassandra: The Pythia seemed afraid of them. Guards took her away.
- Herodotos: Took her away? Then the whispers were true! If this Cult has corrupted the Pythia... This is devastating news. Do you understand what this means? Through her, the Cult controls the world.
- Kassandra: I need to speak with her when she's not so well... protected.
- Herodotos: That would require a miracle from the gods. She is always protected.
(If "Where can I find the Pythia?" is chosen.)
- Kassandra: You know more about the Pythia than I do. Where would she be?
- Herodotos: When she's not in the Temple of Apollo, she's at her home in the Chora of Delphi.
(If "What does her home look like?" is chosen.)
- Kassandra: I can't go breaking down every door until I find her.
- Herodotos: The Oracle's home is probably easy enough to spot. She'd be the only person in the Chora of Delphi who can afford to live in luxury.
(If "Where in the Chora of Delphi would she be?" is chosen.)
- Kassandra: Where in the Chora of Delphi does the Pythia live?
- Herodotos: I've heard she lives on the outskirts of the village. But be warned: she will be guarded. Not everyone comes to see the Oracle with the best of intentions.
- Kassandra: I'll find where the Pythia lives. And I will get answers.
- Herodotos: Kassandra, don't forget: brute force is useless when finesse is required.
Outcome[]
Kassandra learned the existence of the Cult of Kosmos, which was planning to kill her and controls the Pythia's words, and befriended Herodotus, who allied with her in her quest.
Behind the scenes[]
The Pythia's comments about the outcome of the memory "The Blood Fever" appear to supersede all others, namely the outcome of "Portion Control".
Gallery[]
The Temple of Apollo
Herodotos looking at Kassandra's Spear
The group observing the woman questioned by guards
Kassandra entering the Temple
Herodotos awaiting Kassandra