Theory on the Outsider

Post » Sat Jul 13, 2013 9:05 am

My theory is that the Outsider is simply a part of Corvo's (and other assassins) conciousness as part of a plot to destabilize the Empire (which Corvo had a shot at and may succeed base on your choices).

Corvo's mysterious background makes me think that he might be a brainwashed magic sleeper cell of an outside faction (The Outsider... get it?) that was sent in to bring an end to the Empire; much like many other assassins who ultimately failed because they got soft, foolish, or lose their minds. (like that bird lady).

The sleeper cells' mind have some kind of grand plan programmed in their heads a long time ago that dictates their every action, and magic powers that stay hidden until the right time. The runes are James Bond-like gadgets, left behind by other assassins of the past.

And the fact that at one point, Corvo received off-camera "special forces" training, he might be a powerful piece in the chess board when comparing to the other assassins.

Also, there are more clues pointing to that the Outsider is just a part of Daud's own conciousness. The Outsider said to Daud after he killed the Empress... right when Daud starts to feel guitly about killing her: "I'm here because you're right, the Empress is different".

Since when did an omnipotent god-devil slip off an "Oops, my bad. I should have listened to you in the first place, shouldn't I?" The Outsider realizes failure because Daud's conciousness realizes failure.

The act of realizing failure spring Daud into further action that involves the Brigmore Witches, who might be the outside faction's main obstacle because the Witches practice black magic. It's all part of the plan, see? Daud kills Empress, that mysterious trip that Corvo took, and returning home "In the right place at the right time" as Campbell puts it... Daud was "planned" to feel guity and go to destroy the Brigmore Witches... Then six months of rampant corruption and a mysterious plague, as Corvo is planned to deal the killing blow to the Empire.

But this outside faction's plan can go wrong if any humanity left in Corvo and Daud that refrain them from performing acts that get them high chaos. You know, because of peace and love and sleeper hold! And the outside faction probably didn't plan on Corvo having a daughter (Oh come on, it's out: Emily IS Corvo's daughter) and saving her and putting her on the throne.

Of course, alternatively, Daud's humanity and admiration for the Empress causes him to feel guilty in the first place, which may or may not disrupt the outside faction's plan; and the Brigmore Witches maybe a random faction that is caught in the web. The Outsider simply feels guity because he's Daud's conciousness. A "bug in the program", maybe... Either way, Daud's fate is sealed; with the killing of the Empress, he is no longer useful to the faction. Now he can go die of the plague for all they care.

In a way, you failed your mission if you pick the "Good Ending" with low chaos and letting Emily live; and you let an inevitably corrupted Empire lives on. So in this perspective, the true ending is High Chaos, Emily dies, and Corvo left the country on a boat. (Maybe his job is finished and he is programmed to go back to the faction)

Just a theory of mine, what do you guys think? A lot of room for a sequel.

PS: The faction might be a underwater race of talking singing whales with magic and mindcontrol, plotting to rise up to the surface to take revenge for whaling and to conquer the surface world... It could be legit, since whales live for a long time; they don't mind waiting for the right person to be born and empires to slowly crumble. They're out there... deep in the sea... waiting and watching.

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l5ympm88Sa1qzkdcfo1_500.jpg

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Kelly Tomlinson
 
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Post » Sat Jul 13, 2013 2:34 pm

Wow. Such a sophisticated and elaborate theory! :happy:

I can't say that I think that it applies well to the game, but it sure is a great material for an AU. Are you planning to write a fanfic?

Also I like the idea of magical sentient whales that are antagonistic to humans, Whales sure shouldn't be too fond of humans, who kill them off.

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Kayleigh Mcneil
 
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Post » Sat Jul 13, 2013 10:23 am

Thanks! :)

I'm not really into writing fanfic, but I might give it a try. Considering that the developers originally want the game to be a one-shot, and then close the doors, leaving the rest up to player's imagination... But yeah, that does leaves a lot of room for an AU; and maybe that will catch up and... who knows?

The idea about "magical singing whales/sea unicorns" is somewhat base on the game's connection to the sea. The backdrop of the game could have been anything, anywhere... but they picked the grandest of them all: the sea... And also because Bethesda is pretty much obsessed with Lovecraft.

Though, the game leaves some clues involving some sort of ancient power. The heart says: "This city is build on the bones of the ancient ones" = I guess whales? Granny Rags went to Pandyssia and went insane when she "meets" the Outsider. http://dishonored.wikia.com/wiki/Explorer%27s_Journal It mentions a monster (maybe one of many?), when having its "jewel" taken away, it becomes mortal and dies. If you destroy the trinket under Granny Rags' pillow, only then you can kill her.

Maybe that monster had possessed her? If so, why would the Outsider had warned you if he is in league with this "monster"? Maybe because the "monster" that possessed Granny has a different agenda than the rest of its brethrens, which is to directly take power.

All theories, but the lore just reeks Cthulhu.

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amhain
 
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Post » Sat Jul 13, 2013 6:12 am

I really like your idea. To be honest, I, personally, think that it strays a bit from the ingame lore and, more importantly, spirit, but it still is a very interesting take on the world of Dishonored. Also there really should've been the influence of the Lovecraftian myth. The Leviathan alone qualifies.

Anyway the lore is still patchy. And I think it will stay this way. Arkane seem to be keen on letting players create their own interpretations.

I've also thought about how the whales themselves must see what's happening. There're some hints that they're sentient. I especially liked the book about the guy who created a bathysphere: http://dishonored.wikia.com/wiki/The_Deep_Watchers

I don't think that the Outsider warning Corvo contradicts him being the master of Vera. Corvo is his new favourite. Also the Oursider seems to have no qualms with his chosen killing each other. Maybe he wants to change the old crew.

And Vera has the Outsider's portrait above her bed.

Though I too have the suspicion that the Outsider is not the only powerful creature of the Void. Maybe we'll learn more in The Brigmore Witches. The witches may use different source of powers.

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roxxii lenaghan
 
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Post » Sat Jul 13, 2013 7:37 am

The main idea in my theory is that the Outsider doesn't exist, but only part of the conciousness of the people he appears to. Those eight persons who bear his marks are eight sleeper cells of these "Leviathans of the Deep", who drawn a plan inside these eight persons' conciousness. That is why the Outsider seems so catered to Daud's guilt because the Outsider is part of Daud's conciousness. The twist is that the Outsider is ultimately malignant.

But the more I think about it though: If these Leviathans are so powerful, they might as well directly control these eight people by catching them at the right moment and give them power, rather than taking the time and energy to brainwash them. But either way, all points connect the Outsider to these "Leviathans", and the Outsider is the ultimate evil.

I'm probably just overthinking such a simple plot. :confused:

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Jeremy Kenney
 
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Post » Sat Jul 13, 2013 3:56 pm

Oh, sorry. I got distracted by the

bit.

Well... I'd definitely say that you're overthinking. >< But I respect the right for interpretation. :smile:

The problem I have is that magic seems real in the world of Dishonored. It has its principles and rules, and really works. So I see no reason for it to be tech, and to introduce a

conspiracy plot. But what's good with the conspiracy plots is that you can always fit as much as you like in any story.

Mind it, that I, probably, haven't understood your idea fully.

Also, (just an observation) I feel that you also are forming too variants of the AU. You started with the magic-free sleeping cell theory, but with introduction of the sentient whales and mind control the magic or psychic powers appear anew.

By the way, returning to the OP, I understood the Outsider saying to Daud "You were right" as sarcasm.

And also your take on Corvo having a daughter outside of the plan set for him reminds me of Lady Jessica and Bene Gesserit in Gerbert's Dune.

And wait... mind controlling Leviathans. ME3! Mind controllin sea creatures sure are popular... :D

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Cool Man Sam
 
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Post » Sat Jul 13, 2013 12:15 pm

Oh god you just have to remind me... :sick: I'm honestly sick of ME. I originally was thinking Bioshock with Cthulhu, but since you mention ME I should probably just stop lol.

My theory's chronology would be: Sentient whales -> Mindcontrol -> Sleeper cells -> Victims' conciousness -> The Outsider Myth -> Corvo and Daud -> Fall of the Empire.

But since magic applies, it might as well goes like: Sentient whales -> :sorcerer: -> The Outsider Myth -> Corvo and Daud -> Fall of the Empire. That's what I hate about introducing and accepting magic into any game's world; it's like a universal patches, applied immediately on the realization of plot-holes and tada everything is fine.

I think they should have expanded more upon the Sea, the Leviathans and the continent of Pandyssian to make the lore more satisfying. I guess I could have been more accepting of a magic-embued lore if the game would have been more subtle on the magic-shotgun and more prevalent on the myth-telling.

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Rhysa Hughes
 
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Post » Sat Jul 13, 2013 2:12 pm

I'm sorry. :( That was the last minute thought too... Should've kept it for myself.

I think that in well-written universes magic should have its own laws. It is fine when it is a part of a coherent world, not lazy plot device.

In TKoD there were much more details about whales. So, it seems, the devs too understand that it's one of the more interesting parts of the world which should be expanded upon.

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casey macmillan
 
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