To Kill or Not to Kill 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 followed the trail of her mother Myrrine and the Spartan general Brasidas to the Statue of Artemis in the Cedar in Arkadia, but Arkadia's welcome façade belied its hostility.
Dialogue[]
Kassandra crossed the border into Arkadia and reminded herself of her meeting point with Myrrine.
- Kassandra: Mater told me to meet her at the Statue of Artemis in the Cedar.
Kassandra crossed Golden Fields of Akardia and remark to herself.
- Kassandra: They called Arkadia the "breadbasket of the Peloponesian League." Wheat's the most precious resource in the Greek World...
Kassandra traveled to a hill at the border of the Golden Fields, upon which sat the statue. She spotted it with the help of Ikaros.
- Kassandra: There. Will be good to see mater and Brasidas again.
Kassandra demanding Brasidas' location from Sosipatros
She climbed the hill and encountered the mercenary Sosipatros, instead of Brasidas, at the base of the statue.
- Kassandra: Who are you?
- Sosipatros: Me? I'm no one. But you? You're even godlier than Brasidas said you'd be. It should be your statue between these trees.
- Kassandra: Brasidas? What does he have to do with this?
- Sosipatros: Warrior, he said! Look for the mighty warrior with the broken spear. I added the godly bit.
- Kassandra: Brasidas knows a warrior when he sees one. Word of my deeds will outlive any statue.
- Sosipatros: Of course! Your story should be sung from the mountain tops. In Arkadia you are already a legend.
Kassandra threatening Sosipatros
- Kassandra: Where is Brasidas? I need to speak with him.
- Sosipatros: Of course you do! And the woman, you'd like to speak with her too, yes?
- Kassandra: Wait...
- Sosipatros: She looks like you.
- Kassandra: Tell me where they went.
- Sosipatros: I should. It's what Brasidas paid me for, after all.
- Kassandra: Then why don't you?
- Sosipatros: He didn't pay enough.
Sosipatros drew his sword and attacked Kassandra, but was quickly defeated.
- Sosipatros: Stop! Please stop!
He yielded and dropped to one knee.
- Sosipatros: "My story will outlive any statue." Who says that?
Kassandra threatening Sosipatros
Kassandra threatened Sosipatros.
- Kassandra: Tell me where they are, or I'll cut that shit-eating grin off your shit-eating face!
- Sosipatros: He said you had a nasty temper. He wasn't wrong.
Sosipatros slumped back on the ground.
- Kassandra: Tell me where my mater is and you may walk out of here alive.
- Sosipatros: You show mercy. Arkadia will give you none in return.
Kassandra drew her spear.
- Kassandra: Speak!
- Sosipatros: You'll find them on a hill—a cliff overlooking Tegea.
Kassandra drew her spear.
- Kassandra: Speak!
- Sosipatros: They're on a hill—a cliff overlooking Tegea.
- Kassandra: You said Brasidas didn't pay enough. Who did?
- Sosipatros: The Archon. He's paying more for your head than Brasidas could afford in two lifetimes.
- Kassandra: Tell me who the Archon is. I want a name.
Sosipatros laughed and stood up.
- Sosipatros: Lagos. His name is Lagos. And he's the most powerful man in Arkadia—he who controls the grain, controls the world.
- Kassandra: Consider yourself lucky. I've seen enough blood.
- Sosipatros: Oh, but you'll be seeing a lot more. Welcome to Arkadia, Kassandra.
Sosipatros laughed and stood up.
- Sosipatros: Lagos. His name is Lagos. And he's the most powerful man in Arkadia—he who controls the grain, controls the world.
- Kassandra: You threatened the wrong people, maláka.
- Sosipatros: I don't threaten, I promise!
Having acquired the information she sought, Kassandra left Sosipatros.
Still enraged at Sosipatros' duplicity, Kassandra fought him again and killed him. Looting his body, she found a sword, a ring, and a note.
Letter from Brasidas
- I am with your mother. Meet us on the cliff near Tegea. —B
Kassandra made her way to the cliff overlooking Tegea and finally reunited with Myrrine and Brasidas. As she entered their encampment, she heard them arguing.
- Myrrine: I want the Archon dead.
- Brasidas: None of this makes sense. This isn't the Lagos I know.
Kassandra approached them.
Kassandra finding Brasidas and Myrrine
- Myrrine: Thank the gods you found us.
She nodded at her mother, then turned to Brasidas.
- Kassandra: I got your message.
- Kassandra: Your messenger is lucky to be alive. He betrayed you, Brasidas.
Regardless, Brasidas theorized the reasons behind Lagos' actions.
- Brasidas: These Cultists Myrrine told me about—they knew you were coming and must have forced Lagos to place the bounty on your heads. Trusting anyone in Arkadia will be difficult now.
- Myrrine: Which is why I say we put that Archon's head on a pike. Our message to the puppet King in Sparta will be clear.
- Kassandra: Let's find out more about what's going on in Arkadia. We should be able to solve this Lagos problem without too many beheadings.
- Brasidas: After what happened to the Monger in Korinthia...
- Kassandra: That crowd wanted blood.
- Brasidas: Violence doesn't always solve problems.
- Brasidas: And deal with it like you dealt with the Monger? Why not hire some musicians to entertain the crowd, too?
- Kassandra: I know you wanted me to kill him in private. But at the time, it was the right choice.
(If "What's your plan, Brasidas?" was chosen.)
- Kassandra: What do you have in mind, Brasidas?
- Brasidas: Unlike your mother, I think we can handle this quietly. I'm going to begin by investigating a safe house he keeps. There might be some evidence there.
(If "What's your plan, Myrrine?" was chosen.)
- Kassandra: What do you think we should do?
- Myrrine: I still say we send the Archon to Hades. Upsetting Sparta's breadbasket will send the false king searching for crumbs.
Myrrine turned to Brasidas.
- Myrrine: The Archon is no longer the man you knew. The Cult has him now.
(If "Enough planning, more doing." was chosen.)
- Kassandra: Looks like I came just in time.
- Brasidas: You certainly did. But it's time to make a decision.
- Kassandra: Your strategy makes sense, Brasidas.
- Brasidas: Thank you. I'm glad you agree.
- Myrrine: You're letting sentimentality cloud your judgment.
Brasidas discussing with Kassandra about Lagos
Brasidas turned and walked to the cliff's edge to overlook the city of Tegea. Kassandra stepped to his side.
- Brasidas: There's a farmhouse northeast of Tegea where he has a safe house. Meet me there before you do anything you'll regret.
Brasidas took his leave of the women and Myrrine took his place at the cliff to speak to Kassandra.
- Kassandra: And what if Brasidas' plan doesn't work?
- Myrrine: The Archon hides like a coward in Fort Samikon. You can't miss that monstrosity. You could go after him now, but be careful—he's well-defended.
- Kassandra: Then we must weaken his defenses.
- Myrrine: He's got barracks full of guards and silos full of grain... It would be a shame if any came to harm.
(If "Where can I find Lagos' guards?" was chosen)
- Kassandra: Where exactly are Lagos' guards stationed?
- Myrrine: Some rest their heads at a barracks in Tegea. There's also a camp and a fort in Smuggler's Forest. Destroy his guards there, and his defenses will be weakened.
(If "Where are Lagos' silos?" was chosen.)
- Kassandra: Tell me where to find the silos.
- Myrrine: The Archon stores his wheat in Pan's Cradle. Set the silos alight, and his livelihood will go up in smoke.
(Leave – "Time to go to work.")
- Kassandra: I'll go see what Lagos is up to.
- Myrrine: Good luck, my lamb.
Outcome[]
Kassandra reunited with Myrrine and Brasidas and unveiled Lagos as a member of the Peloponnesian League branch of the Cult of Kosmos.
Behind the scenes[]
The player can find and reunite with Myrrine and Brasidas at the cliff without going anywhere near the Statue of Artemis in the Cedar. The protagonist will simply say "I got your message," even though they did not encounter Sosipatros and make no mention of his fate. Brasidas' responses are the same for all scenarios.
Sosipatros' line describing Lagos, "He who controls the grain, controls the world", is reminiscent of "He who controls the Spice, controls the Universe", a catchphrase from the 1984 film adaptation of American author Frank Herbert's 1965 novel Dune.
Gallery[]
