The Writing's on the Wall

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The Writing's on the Wall was a virtual representation of one of Kassandra's genetic memories, relived by Layla Hassan through the Portable Animus HR-8.5.

Description

The political situation between Naxos and Paros was tenuous at best. Some outspoken individuals took to creating propaganda art against Myrrine's rule, and she had had enough.

Dialogue

After arriving in Naxos's harbor, Kassandra went to the nearby agora and noticed a crowd leering over a defaced wall. She moves in to take a closer look.

• Kassandra: "Blood or change—Phoenix must choose."

A man with a burn scar on his left cheek talks to her.

• Street Vendor: This "artist's" work is everywhere. Their dislike is as clear as water.

They must be silenced.They're just words.

• Kassandra: Answer with a weapon. Then there'll be no back-talk.
• Street Vendor: You have to think before you act. This is politics... however tempting it is to act on instinct.

• Kassandra: The work of a coward. If they meant it, you'd have a sword to your throat right now.
• Street Vendor: You saw that crowd—words are powerful. They're probably gossiping and plotting as we speak.

• Kassandra: This rebel obviously wants attention. Someone should give it to them.
• Street Vendor: I had a similar thought. And I think that someone could be you.
• Kassandra: Tell me where they are and I'll put an end to this.

The man points to the graffiti.

• Street Vendor: See the pigment of the paint, it's a rare color and I only know one artist who chooses to use it. Last I heard he lives in a cave at the Routsouna waterfall.

(If players choose "What else are the messages saying?")

• Kassandra: Is the rest of this "art" as subtle?
• Street Vendor: More of the same—death threats. The dust in Naxos must settle, or Phoenix will be killed and replaced as archon.

(If players choose "Why is the artist angry?")

• Kassandra: I know artists are sensitive, but something really made this one mad.
• Street Vendor: The city thinks war is coming—and they're not wrong. But they're certain that Phoenix is the one driving us toward disaster.

(Leave – "I'll hunt them down.")

• Kassandra: I'll stop them.
• Street Vendor: We cannot answer their threats with violence of our own. That'll add more fuel to the fire.

Kassandra sighs.

• Kassandra: If that's what you want.
• Street Vendor: It is what she wants. Phoenix wants to fight for the people—not against them. Just stop them making anymore art.
• Kassandra: If you consider this "art".

The merchant returns to his stall and Kassandra begins to investigate the paintings around the agora. She looks at the ground beneath the first one.

• Kassandra: This came from whatever wrote this message. I'll take it to the art merchant.

She passes by the merchant and went to the colonnade behind his stall. Inside, a crowd is studying the graffiti vandalized over the mural. She walks through them and examines it.

• Kassandra: There's some hair stuck in the paint. Maybe from the brush the artist used? I'd better ask Agellos.

She then went out opposite it and across the agora to find another one also attracting a crowd. Kassandra approaches it.

• Kassandra: This color looks strange. I should ask the art merchant where the artist could have got it.

Kassandra returns to Agellos to inquire about what she discovered.

• Kassandra: I have some things to ask you.

Agellos stretches.

• Street Vendor: Go on, it's the slow season.

(If players choose "What are these fragments?") Kassandra shows her the rocks.

• Kassandra: I found these rock fragments near the graffiti. Do you recognize them?
• Street Vendor: That, my friend, is Emery. Used for various artistic endeavors. Won't give the pottery as good of a shine in that state though.
• Kassandra: Emery? The rock? Is it found on Naxos?
• Street Vendor: It's mined from the Routsouna waterfall.

(If players choose "Who has bought this pigment?")

• Kassandra: This pigment is only used in the graffiti. Has anyone been buying this from you?
• Street Vendor: Hmmm, I do remember a man asking about this color now that you mention it.
• Kassandra: Just him?
• Street Vendor: Yes from what I remember. I didn't have any when he asked. He seemed impatient and asked if anyone else sold it.

(If players choose "What is this hair from?")

• Kassandra: I found this hair stuck in the paint of the graffiti. Does it mean anything to you?
• Street Vendor: Many artists here on Naxos use wild animal hairs to form the bristles on their paint brushes.
• Kassandra: What animal is this hair from?
• Street Vendor: It's too long to be a deer. I've heard that some thrill-seekers like to get hairs from the bears that live on the island. They're mad if you ask me, but artists are an unusual sort.

(Leave – "I have to go.")

• Kassandra: Thank you. Errosso.
• Street Vendor: Maybe you'll buy something next time.

Kassandra found and entered the cave at Routsouna Waterfall and discovered a crack in the lefthand wall leading to a secret chamber. At the bottom, she found the propagandist, Lichas, practicing his drawings.

• Kassandra: There you are. I've been looking for you.
• Lichas: Who's "I"?
• Kassandra: Phoenix sent me. To find and stop the "artist." You.
• Lichas: You're here to kill me.
• Kassandra: That's up to you.
• Lichas: Please, misthios! Phoenix is a great leader—tell her I said that! I'm just the hand, not the mind.

(If players choose "Why write messages you don't believe?")

• Kassandra: Then you're a gutless sheep. You write what you don't believe.
• Lichas: I didn't know it would go this far.
• Kassandra: Tell me why you did it.
• Lichas: I was commissioned! A contract from soldiers. They have power! You try defying people like that.
• Kassandra: I would. I'm not spineless.
• Lichas: Misthios, I'm a poor artist! The Archon promised drachmae I've never dreamed of!
• Kassandra: And look where it got you.
• Lichas: I'll stop now, I promise! Not another word!

Threaten – Good, or you're dead.I'll take your word for it.

• Kassandra: If you don't, you'll make an easy kill.
• Lichas: No more graffiti. I promise!

• Kassandra: You made a mistake. A big one. As long as you own up to it.
• Lichas: I do, misthios, I do.

• Lichas: Here, my contract—see for yourself!
• Kassandra: We're finished here.
• Lichas: You won't hear from me again!

Alternatively, Kassandra kills him there and then.

---

(If players returned to the merchant Agellos.)

• Street Vendor: You're back.

Kassandra sighs.

• Kassandra: It was just a boy. Some archon paid him to do it.
• Street Vendor: The young are so impressionable these days. They're always looking for ways to make a name for themselves like the heroes of old. I'm glad it's over.
• Kassandra: So that's one obstacle down. But they're a drachma a dozen here.

Gallery

• 
  Lichas painting in his cave
• 
  The cave where the artist resides.

References

• Assassin's Creed: Odyssey