Would love to get this for the second game

My pigboi got a glow up? I am so proud of him!!

Love listening to this now and then as other white noise lore videos The voice acting and writing is surperb

I love this game, even though it's sadistic and cruel to the player. This os probably the cruelst RNG I've had in games.

if you want to live the xcom EW truly experience, play the game on classic difficult, no laser weapons, no plasma weapons, only human weapons, no high armor, only use human technology, and watch how you long survive, oh obviously, no mecha, no psionic powers, why this, in xcom 2 the lore never mentions that xcom never develop that kind of weapons or armors

So all we had to do to defeat the brigands was dump some papa nurgle bath water in a pond?

Man you make great DD content you earned a sub buddy

a hypothesis i came up with one day is that the heart of darkness directly showed the ancestor the vision of what the protege would do if he was not distracted by the pursuit of the iron crown. and as a solution the ancestor, set up similar stones to that around the mill just before he wrote and sent the letter in hopes that it would draw their attention to the estate to trap and keep them there while the rest of the kingdom was safe. of course, it wouldnt make any sense with not only the swine leaving to inhabit the sluice, but also the stagecoach that left and returned with heros.

I would argue that the ancestors call was during the time he summoned experts on the occult to "plumb the depths of their knowledge".

Hi Misk! What a fantastic video. It dovetails nicely with something I've been thinking about lately, which is my overall view of how the two stories are connected at the highest level. Spoilers ahead everybody. I divide the timeline of DD1/2 into three time references: the past, the time loop, and the future. The time loop is effectively replacing the present, since during the course of the two games, the linear progression of time is clearly not quite there yet. Let's start with the past. It's clear that the Ancestor, the Mentor, and the Protege are basically contemporaneous. They were involved in somewhat similar, but not entirely overlapping inquiries. The Ancestor as we know was dabbling with a variety of things: necromancy, blood magic, the comet ritual, and more. Since he is a nobleman, not an academic, even though he's certainly erudite, his efforts seem less focused and more eclectic in the early years: he looks into whatever strikes his fancy. It's only the dig that will truly become a consuming obsession. Because of their academic backgrounds, the Mentor and the Protege make a much more cohesive discovery about the worship of the Iron Crown. It's clear that the Ancestor also thought something was up with the IC, but I don't think he ever fully understood what it was about. So in the past, we're dealing with two discoveries. And if I had to summarise them, I would say that the Ancestor has discovered an unborn god, gestating inside our planet like an egg, while the Mentor and Protege have discovered a fully mature god: the Iron Crown. After all, if the Heart is destined to burst forth from the shell and give birth to a new god, this perhaps suggests that there is an "eldritch life cycle" to gods, in which case, where are the adult gods, what do they look like, what are they up to? I think the Iron Crown is one such. It's an eldritch cosmic entity that's been around for a long time, while the Heart is still gestating. Neither discovery is a singular eureka moment: they mature over time. The Ancestor keeps discovering more about the nature of the world as he digs deeper down. The Protege is put on the path that leads to Iron Crown worship by encountering the Ancestor. In both cases, by the time these characters know exactly what they're dealing with, we get the culminating event that ends the past and establishes the time loop, thus breaking time itself: the Ancestor binds himself to the heart through ritualistic suicide, and the Protege invokes the Iron Crown. What you have with this set up is the invocation of an old god and a new god respectively, who are invited into the world and given the power to alter it. However, they do so on different levels. The Iron Crown is remaking the entire world, and breaks time on a planetary scale (at least). The Heart, however, seems only able to influence the hamlet and its environs. There are several possible reasons why that is. It's possible that the Iron Crown is simply a higher level of cosmic being. Or it's due to the fact that the Iron Crown is a "mature" cosmic entity rather than an eldritch fetus. Maybe the Heart can influence the Hamlet because of the pit, the digging; or maybe because of its connection with the Ancestor. What's certainly beyond doubt however is that the time loops seem unable to over-write each other, if that makes sense. The farmstead is in a separate loop caused by the Sleeper, the hamlet is in a loop caused by the Heart, neither of these loops gets overwritten by the Iron Crown and the Mountain. (I will have more to speculate about the Mountain when your video on it comes out eventually lol). The two games both take place in "the present" i.e. the time loop. It's unclear how long has passed since the twin rituals broke time itself. However, they diverge considerably when it comes to the future. DD1 posits complete failure to break the time loop, but DD2 does allow you to succeed in breaking the loop. This leads me to further questions, such as - can anyone from the outside solve the Hamlet's time loop and/or prevent the Heart from hatching, or is our fate still sealed? And speculatively, if the Iron Crown was left undisturbed, would it prevent the Heart from hatching, or would it still be powerless to stop the complete end of the world? I'll close the essay here for now. Thanks for the great content, keep it up and look after yourself!

I love these lore videos thank you for your work! Wouldnt you consider doing one for each character? Maybe you can use the narrator lines for each one together with their own lore missions

can't wait for him to talk about the antiquarian

Would you do Black Reliquary Lore? Would be nice to watch

One of the most interesting parts about the Sprawl to me, is Reynauld's being there and Dismas' reaction to knowing he's out there and in need. Darkest Dungeon 2 is according the devs, an alternative universe/timeline from the first. That in mind, this Dismas shouldn't know who Reynauld is. However in the lead up to Reynauld's addition, Dismas began making references to the original timeline. "Like a dream that feels too real. The manor. The Knight...", he said at times. Then upon Reynauld's addition, his helmet is found first thing at the inn. You can take it onto the coach, for a price. Dismas then had very interesting reactions to seeing the helmet. Stating either how he misses Reynauld, or telling the Crusader to holdfast, and that he was coming. A friendship from another timeline transcending beyond it to light the way for both in another? If that ain't one big metaphor for just how important and special hope is I dunno what is. This is also a fun little reference to the original timeline, even if both shouldn't remember it but seemingly do. Or at least Dismas does. Course I have to wonder if the entity of the original Darkest Dungeon may have had some hand in the memories at play? Or perhaps the Color of Space inspired critter that was putting everyone in a time loop to save itself from death. Hell maybe both are responsible for this in some way. Whatever the case, I suppose it doesn't matter. The hamlet was implied to be destroyed in this timeline since no one came for it this time. And even if the creatures within do remain in this timeline, can we truly be certain of their intentions or reasoning? Given the Lovecraftian natures of them? So hey if they wanted to give a select few survivors memories of a different timeline, so be it. It certainly helps our merry band, so who are we to deny it I suppose. I welcome the more hopeful details.

Hey it just occurred to me that the time loops would explain the Collector and why we can get our heroes heads while they are still alive and well

Another great video. Really glad you are back Misk!

Fantastic narration, love your work!!

Another amazing video as always.

Very quality video. I wonder how does one leave the time loop in the Hamlet? Do other heroes who appear in the original game and not appear in the sequel are still there?

“ acknowledge their crimes and make an effort to do better” Bounty hunter: ……. SNORT

Out of all the returning enemies, I’m glad the Hag’s Coven didn’t come back. I don’t think I can take any more fights with the Hateful Virago.

It's funny because the Ancestor not only fucked his Hamlet but also the whole Kingdom. ,,In time you will know the tragic extent of my failings" hits different now

If those who leave the manor are those who are ready to face their fears, could Wilbur be doing the same?

I love the idea that each separate game of darkest dungeon could be happening in its own time loop. Also I loved that east to west joke, feels almost like yesterday when you got blindsided by that change on a stream. Also can’t wait for whatever you have planned next Misk.

I like the idea of her having a super focus, similar idea appeared in one of Lovecraft's story when under certain angle person could see other worlds(dont remember the name of story though)

i missed your stuff man glad to see another upload hope your doing better

What’s a “Moon’s turn”?

Man it’s great to listen to your commentary again on darkest dungeon

Nice MK reference you included there, kind sir. :)))))

Dude can we get this mod for dd2 or hell make a character she fits so damn well into darkest dungeon

Xcom 2 was an alternate reality. It wasn't a sequel.

That's such a great work

I think everything in Xcom: Enemy Within is canon including the ending. Realistically the ending is not the end of the war and it's entirely possible that the raid on XCOM HQ was done in a counterattack after the ending. The Volunteer is confirmed alive by a developer so it's entirely possible they were recruited by the Aliens and revealed the location of XCOM HQ. I also like to think the remnants of EXALT became ADVENT and built an alliance with the Aliens considering ADVENT have a heavy reliance on genetically modified humans and EXALT would obviously love that.

This inspires me to make a plague Marine Blood angel kill team.

What a great story.It's been a wonderful journey.I hope you see more wonderful videos

These are so climactic, work of art, nothing else to add

Will you cover Solium Infernum is this series is done?

64 lost killed in my 1st engagement even a year later this helps

Amazing ending, almost brought a tear to my eye, whicth surprised me, you should all feel proud of yourselves.

"I own a musket for home defense since that's what the Founding Fathers intended."

VA here! This was absolutely a joy to voice through and through. Thanks to Drach for writing such an excellent story to narrate, and to you Misc for bringing it to life. Absolutely stellar ending and hope everyone enjoys!

Now that the background of the world is over, Maybe a detailing of the interactions between the heroes could be the next step. Kind of like "What if X talked in Y" and Emperor's Speech Device, Except a whole lot more flowery. Red Hook seems cool enough to allow it, And you guys clearly MORE than competent enough to knock it out of the park. God, Imagine the Reunion between The Crusader with the classic cast voice acted.

These stories actually fill me with hope in my own life, with how much misery seems to be taking over our own world. I take great comfort in stories that remind me of humanities defiance at the dying of the light. Simply beautiful. Worth the wait, looking forward to what you have in the furture😁❤️‍🩹

The inn keeper kept his word and his duty for the traveling band of heroes in that fortress of a stage couch. For he became a hero by fighting his loathing for opportunist dismay, it was not an easy score but an early grave for them and a new dawn and spot to rebuild civilization back from the ashes. He dose not realize he became a hero in his own way an unsung hero that help others from the fleeing survivors for shelter and supplies for his reward hope and seeing the sun raise again for maybe his last days in this world.

A fitting conclusion for a history most dark. Amazing work, Memorialist! One of your best👍🏻

What an absolute legend. Innkeeper says behind to do his best for the sake of others. Dam I would love a story where it’s just a innkeeper facing an already occurred apocalypse. I know DD2 does that to some extent but it’s more focused on a slowly dying world, with a focus on the champions. The people of the world are only an afterthought in this case. Nobody’s thinking about those people who travel through a country of horrors. Or the little farm kid whose feet are red and screams at the sight of barely. Which is why I love these stories. It gives us insight into the world and its people.

A lovely finally, thanks to both the writer, voice actor and Misk for working together to make such an enjoyable story

The vagueness of darkest dungeon 2 really allows for some beautiful storytelling. BRAVO.

Writer here... And here it is, the finale I looked forward to. I may have wrote that ending, but the voice acting and the editing have truly breathed life into it. I am thankful for my work being shared to everyone and for everyone being able to enjoy it. Thank you all for this great journey.

For me the church of change has always been s devotion of the heart of darkness. They were attracted to the manor before, feeling the call of the heart and how it morphs things to it's image. Something of the like is what they worship. The icon is nothing less than the stone door of the darkest dungeon