(L) Tears to Tiara (TV anime)

[Mangaka-chan]

Woh, this series is seriously starting to remind me of LotR.

Spoiler for More than coincidence?:

The battle at Avalon was like the siege of Helmsdeep, and now with the black army marching to crush humanity and the White Spirit cackling in his tower, I instantly got flash backs of Isengard and Saruman with his army of orcs. So I guess the Return of the King is imminent now?

[serenade_beta]

Spoiler for ep21:

...A bit unfortunate... The overall episode... Rather, the second half was the unfortunate part. The first part continued on well, but when it reached the second half... There was just something about that part. It felt rushed, I guess. Also, it started immediately after a long flashback, so I felt detached from the current time story. Kind of like, "What was going on again...?"
The Bard's death wasn't as sad as it could have been... Actually, the BGM was probably the only thing sad about his scene. Other than that, his scene was "sad", in a different meaning (in the "poorly done" meaning).

Preview: More flashback?

[xizro345]

Ok it's assured they completely cut a part of the game, shame because aside a few odd quirks I liked it.

[Shiroth]

Spoiler for Episode 21:

The song of origin was a beautiful piece. Truly made the impact of what's taken place all the more important. Taliesin was a great character, and it's painful to see him leave like this. Still, he went with that smile on his face.

Glad they added Epona's song at the end of the episode. A very touching fit.

Looks like we'll get another flashback next episode. This time we shall learn another piece of the puzzle.

[Deathkillz]

ep 21

Spoiler:

Well I was sad that Taliesin had to die. He was such a great character to the bitter end and certainly, he went out with style and grace. I can't expect everyone to life through wars so this was good development and rather touching too might I add. It is angst done right and Epona's tribute theme in the end made it all the more so touching.

Meanwhile, Arwans past is good to know and interesting to see how he finally saw the corruption within the white spirits. The new spirit controlling that massive army is probably the new 12th one.

[Kanish]

Spoiler for Taliesin:

Nice ending to the back story and great timing too. Making it more than just a flashback for the sake of plot exposition and more to do with prepping Taliesin for the ultimate sacrifice. I'm gonna miss the guy. He was the most easy going among the whole bunch.

[Malkuth]

Maybe it's all the flashbacks for 1.5 episodes or me having too much work lately ...

... but when did Arawn and co. meet those giants hammerer? Last time I remember them on-screen, it was night and while they were about to rest they were wondering where the Taliesin was

[Shiroth]

Originally Posted by Malkuth

... but when did Arawn and co. meet those giants hammerer? Last time I remember them on-screen, it was night and while they were about to rest they were wondering where the Taliesin was

Their mission in the mountains was to meet with them, so skipping out their meet-up just saves some time i guess. It's not like it's a must see scene, but yeah i will agree it was a little off how they handled the change in scene.

[Malkuth]

Originally Posted by Shiroth

Their mission in the mountains was to meet with them, so skipping out their meet-up just saves some time i guess. It's not like it's a must see scene, but yeah i will agree it was a little off how they handled the change in scene.

A little? dude, we were suddenly thrown in the middle of a battle with some things (orcs?) and in the background there were giant versions of WHFB Dwarf Hammerers nailing some stuff on the ice sheet, while some instant runes were flickering ... and then they act conveniently as rides back home

Then there is this huge army marching of more somethings (looked like DL draconians) that should spell doom, but is again conveniently buried under an avalanche from a divine spell cast by the next chap, while last time nearly killed Arawn, who by the way used it to turn undead instead of controlling weather.

Excuse my confusion, probably I have either not paid enough attention or haven't played enough D&D/WHFB lately

[Shiroth]

They already explained about the large army, and what they need to do with the giant orcs. It's not totally random.

[azziz]

[Q

Then there is this huge army marching of more somethings (looked like DL draconians) that should spell doom, but is again conveniently buried under an avalanche from a divine spell cast by the next chap, while last time nearly killed Arawn, who by the way used it to turn undead instead of controlling weather.

Excuse my confusion, probably I have either not paid enough attention or haven't played enough D&D/WHFB lately [/QUOTE]

the "song of origin" was never used by Arawn but by Merlin in order to put and end to the age ice and save mankind from extinction(they didn't have fire,remember), so its use by Taliesin is logical.
And no there is no other "12th" spirit,they are now only 11-only watos can use the song of creation and make a new one,as he did with arawn,that's why it's called "tabbou".

[LKK]

Watching Arawn interact with Primula reminded me of something I first noticed during the scene where Ermin couldn't sleep because the insects weren't singing. Arawn has an unexpectedly soft paternal side to him. It's quite sweet to watch, and given his usual sarcastic exterior, it's also a little surprising.

[Shiroth]

Originally Posted by LKK

Watching Arawn interact with Primula reminded me of something I first noticed during the scene where Ermin couldn't sleep because the insects weren't singing. Arawn has an unexpectedly soft paternal side to him. It's quite sweet to watch, and given his usual sarcastic exterior, it's also a little surprising.

It's also quite nice in the respect that this is the first time Arawn opened up and shared this side with someone, and it's a side that's always stayed strong as we've seen in scenes like the one you just mentioned.

He truly is a well written character in that regard.

[xizro345]

Comparisons (in general since I've been away for a while). This part is fairly long and I'm posting it since I'm sure they removed it.

Spoiler for PS3 anime comparison:

The anime cut completely a whole part of the game in which Cleon (Londinium's Mayor) invites Arawn for a series of battle at the Coliseum. After a few of them (including one in which you fight part of your own group), Cleon finally reveals as the mage you've seen in the anime, summons some obelisks then activates Gravitas in the arena. After the boss battle he spouts the usual "defeated villain" sentences (from "How?" to "You cannot beat him" etc) and dies. Then Arawn makes a pact with the giants but doesn't tell anyone at first. There's also a cut part in which the group gets back briefly to the Gael village in Erin, but what happens there has been told in the anime in another way.
The part with the flashback is almost identical (save the boss - Undead Dragon - you have to fight before the flashback starts), with the difference that till Myrddin dies Arawn is never shown, you just hear his voice. When Taliesin spots the army, the face of the bad guy is shown for the first time in the game. Then the group first gets back to Avalon to think a strategy, then there's the part on the glacier, which is identical (though in the end Arawn is much more upset at the outcome, calling Taliesin an idiot). The scene in which Arawn gives back the scarf to Rhiannon then gets it back is actually here in the game.

[Sinestra]

why is it always always the characters i freakin like

[White Manju Bun]

Originally Posted by Sinestra

why is it always always the characters i freakin like

Ive been asking that question alot lately.

What I noticed the most in this epi was Arawn change in tone from epi 20. His voice was light and naive (since he was too) but when he was back infront of the 11 and telling them he was leaving you got the sarcastic tone that we hear daily from him. I liked that.

Spoiler for just in case:

Tal

[Sinestra]

Originally Posted by White Manju Bun

Ive been asking that question alot lately.

What I noticed the most in this epi was Arawn change in tone from epi 20. His voice was light and naive (since he was too) but when he was back infront of the 11 and telling them he was leaving you got the sarcastic tone that we hear daily from him. I liked that.

Spoiler for just in case:

Tal

Spoiler for i agree:

I dont know if people realize just how dynamic and deep his character was. For the short amount of screen time he had he made a big impact. A very emotional, deep thinker who instead of trying to fight his fate embrassed it in the end because he knew it was worth the sacrifice.

I find myself after almost 20 years of watching anime. I am not caring as much about the main characters in a story, as i do the support cast and since thats the case most of the time its easier to kill off a support role then a major one. Hhence why a lot of my favorite characters get toasted as of late.

[klare]

Originally Posted by Shiroth

Their mission in the mountains was to meet with them, so skipping out their meet-up just saves some time i guess. It's not like it's a must see scene, but yeah i will agree it was a little off how they handled the change in scene.

i also do not remember they show how Arawn and gang meet the giants

hope the last few eps will not be too rush (skipping scenes) in order to end the story...

also what is the song of origin? and how come Taliesin can use it?

[Forever]

Originally Posted by klare

i also do not remember they show how Arawn and gang meet the giants

hope the last few eps will not be too rush (skipping scenes) in order to end the story...

also what is the song of origin? and how come Taliesin can use it?

It seems that anyone can use it as long they know how to sing it. However, the scale of the effects depends on the caster's ability. Talesin can only do a small area, while mryydin does it on the whole world.

[LKK]

You know, the more I think about Taliesin's death, the less I think Taliesin is dead.

Warning: Pure speculation ahead.

So, on what basis do I think Taliesin isn't dead?

1) As they parted, Taliesin told the little dragon to go find his family. Well, it's pretty obvious the little dragon thinks a lot of Taliesin. (Possible imprinting?) The dragon probably thinks of Taliesin as his family. Furthermore, what's the point of that scene or even the little dragon himself if he doesn't have a role to play beyond that scene?

2) The OP shows dragons flying in the sky. Dragons. As in more than 1 dragon. One of the 2 dragons may be Ogam. (Although I think the dragons in the OP don't really look like Ogam's dragon form we saw earlier.) But that still leaves the identity of the second dragon unknown. How many other living dragons have we seen so far? Just the little one Taliesin found.

3) The OP shows us scenes either literal or symbolic from throughout the storyline in chronological order more or less. (The OP is highly spoilerish for people who haven't played the game.) This shot has always caught my eye.

I don't believe we've seen a scene yet that could be associated with this screen shot.

So here's how my theory goes. Taliesin survives the fall through the ice but may be wounded. He's found by the little dragon. Together, they search for a way out. In doing so, they come upon some living adult dragon(s). (Or maybe, the little dragon finds the adult(s) first and together they find Taliesin. But I lean to the little dragon finding Taliesin before the adult one(s).) Knowing that Arawn is looking for allies and possibly knowing that Ogam is a dragon too, Taliesin convinces the adult dragon(s) to join up with Arawn's forces. I'm betting they arrive just before the final battle leading to the scene in the OP.

I could be totally off with my speculation. It's happened before. Too many times for my pride to like to admit. But this time, I really hope I'm right because I don't like the idea of Taliesin dying.

Speaking of the OP and spoiler shots, I'm curious to know who or what are attached to those wings that flank Riannon near the end of the OP. However, as much as I want to know, if you do know, I do NOT want to you to tell me.