The Curator/Involvement/House of Ashes

*Long is the way and hard, that out of Hell leads up to light...**This article is about The Dark Pictures Anthology's third installment,* ***House of Ashes***
***.***
*You're going it alone. Independent. Admirable. Possibly foolish...**The content below contains spoilers from one or more of the games. Read at your own risk!*

**Sub-Pages**

* Man of Medan
* Little Hope
* **House of Ashes**
* The Devil in Me
* Switchback VR

## Meetings

### *First Meeting*

The Curator meets the player for the first time after the intro sequence and lights five candles, each protagonist has their own candle. Throughout the game candles will snuff out if someone of them dies.

The Curator claims that the choices made by the player are of the utmost importance if they want to survive. He claims that such difficult decisions affect the lives of others and that their consequences will become clearer to the player over time.

* If the player has save files of *Man of Medan* or *Little Hope*, the Curator will say that it's good to see them again and they’re probably keen to get started.
* If the player doesn't have any save files, he will ask whether the player knows who he is or where they are.
* (In Shared Story or Movie Night) The Curator will note that not all parties end the same way they started and that some can leave their guests a little the worse for wear. Then he smiles and adds that he is getting ahead of himself.
* (In Shared Story if someone already has a save file of the game) The Curator will ask the players whether they are ready to descend into the unknown once more. Then he will remind them that a party is nothing without a "host" and that he will play his part, as he is sure that players will play their roles.

After that he finally will introduce himself as the "custodian of tales", remarking that he will record all decisions made by the player throughout the story. He then introduces the player to the repository and flies to the bookshelf in a crow form. The Curator explains that several untold stories of many kinds can be found in this place, emphasizing those regarding "life... and death" as he retrieves the "*House of Ashes*" book. The Curator then states that while he is not there to assist the player in any way, he quietly admits that he is interested in doing so, as he is known to bend the rules occasionally.

* The Curator will say to descend into the unknown alone is either extremely brave or foolish, claiming there is more to the player than meets the eye.
* (In Shared Story or Movie Night) He'll say that "*many minds burning bright with the same idea*" and that some choices will bring players together, while others will push them apart.

The Curator then explains the pictures to the player, and advises the player to search for them throughout the game to assist them in their decision-making. The Curator then states their time has run out and the player will speak to him again later to see how they fared or failed.

### *Second Meeting*

The Curator speaks with the player for the second time after Rachel fell into the chasm, questioning what nightmare the characters have fallen into. After that, the Curator will make a comment about the protagonists.

* If Eric survived...
	+ The Curator will say, "poor Rachel has been lost to the darkness". Her candle will flicker but remain lit.
		- If Eric cut the rope, he will also remark that bonds once thought unbreakable are now cut free and the heart is always first to fall.
* If Eric died...
	+ The Curator will say, "one life cut short, another lost to the darkness". Eric's candle will snuff out, while Rachel's candle will only flicker. He will also note that things have taken a turn for the worse.
		- If Eric was shot by Dar, the Curator will say it wasn't a bad way for Eric to bow out and he died a soldier's death.
		- If Eric dies for not letting Rachel go, the Curator will quote the marines' motto "Semper fidelis" and say Eric paid the ultimate price for his loyalty.

He then questions the player on the relationship between Jason and Nick.

* If they have a high relationship, the Curator will ask if they're as close as they appear or if it'll be the case of "each man for himself".
* If they have a low relationship, the Curator will say the darkness in their past will test the power of their friendship.

He can also make comment on Merwin's fate.

* If Merwin died, the Curator will say the protagonists already lost him to the dark and the night is still young.
* If Merwin was left behind, the Curator will say the protagonists already have left one man behind to die tonight.

The Curator also speaks about Salim, claiming the Iraqi soldier appears to be "level-headed", if a bit reluctant. He claims an unwelcome fate awaits the survivors, because they're now "trapped beneath the earth" and "swallowed by the void".

* If all protagonists are alive, the Curator will say their lights will be snuffed out one by one, unless the player finds the means to save them.
* If Eric is dead, the Curator will say some lights will inevitably flicker and die and how long the remaining flames will burn for is up to the player.

The Curator states again that it's not his place to concern himself with the affairs of others, but it does keep things "interesting". Then he offers the player some words of advice, as long as the player will keep this strictly between themselves and Curator.

* If the player agrees, the Curator will say he once met a blind poet who impressed upon him these wise words — *"Long is the way and hard, that out of Hell leads up to Light"*.
* If the player refuses or stays silent, the Curator will say the player will have no one but themselves to blame if things don't pan out as they intend.
* (In Shared Story) The decision to take advice is up to the host of the game, therefore there are no differences with singleplayer.

The Curator then says that it is all for now, sending the player back into the game.

### *Third Meeting*

The third meeting occurs after Jason and Salim took an elevator deeper into the ruins. The Curator claims an "ancient horror", thirsty for blood, has awoken from its "slumber". After that he discusses with the player how many of the characters have survived thus far. Depending on Eric's and Rachel's status, their candles will stay lit or snuff out.

* If all protagonists are alive, the Curator will say Rachel has found her way back to the light and will congratulate the player, as well as warn them not to become complacent, because the group's lives still hang by a thread.
* If Eric died in Act 1, the Curator will say that Rachel found her way back to the light, but her husband unfortunately wasn't there to welcome her back. He'll also note that it's an acceptable loss, considering the circumstances.
* If Eric died in Act 2, the Curator will say that "one returns to the light, while the other goes out forever". He'll sympathize with the player for Eric's death, but also note that "Eric cheated death once before back on that highway" and "perhaps death finally caught up with him".
* If Rachel died, the Curator will say she found her way back to the light, but the darkness reclaimed her. He will also quote Book of Job — "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away." He then adds that "poor Eric won't win her back".
* If Eric and Rachel are dead...
	+ If Eric died in Act 1 and Rachel died in Act 2, the Curator will say casualties are starting to mount and we'll never know, could they repair the wreckage of their marriage.
	+ If they both died in Act 2, the Curator will say they were separated in life, but reunited in death.
		- If at least one of them died by the mines' explosion, he will also say it's almost as if the player is trying to get them killed.

He will also mention Nick's possible death, stating that those taken by the abyss seldom "live to tell the tale", and remark on the fragility of Jason and Salim's alliance, alluding to a possible betrayal. The Curator then says while he does not aim to be rude, time is against the player and him, and says he will be there to meet the player's "charges", whether they survive the endeavour or die in the process. Before the player is sent back, a thunder flashes, revealing a skull on the Curator's face for a glimpse of seconds.

### *Final Meeting*

The fourth and final meeting with the Curator happens after the game's conclusion, but before the end credits. At first, the player is shown the five candles in their current state. They will snuff out, depending on who died in Act 3, otherwise some of them won't burn and some will stay lit.

After that the Curator quotes Milton's "*Paradise Lost*" once more.

* If all protagonists survived, the Curator will say "*the mind is its own place and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven.*" After that he'll clap, congratulating them on their "charges" having emerged from their own "Hell" in one piece, although he will also add that this ordeal will continue to haunt them for the rest of their lives.
* If any protagonist(s) is/are dead, the Curator will say "*freely they stood who stood, and fell who fell.*" Then he will sympathize with the player, saying it's not a bad outcome and survival often comes at a great cost, which others sometimes must pay.
* If all protagonists died, the Curator will say "*this horror will grow mild, this darkness light.*" He'll also note that it's turned out to be a mess and at least the "charges" cannot suffer any longer, "not in this life".

The Curator can also make an additional comment if there's only one surviving protagonist.

* If Eric is the sole survivor, the Curator will say he's impressed since Eric is still alive and kicking. He then says the mission was a disaster and lives were lost, but the man whose bright idea it was walks out in one piece, before ending his sentence with "*isn't that always the way*".
* If Nick is the sole survivor, the Curator will say Nick managed to hold his nerves and focused on staying alive. He then adds Nick could have easily surrendered to the nightmare hunting him, but Nick proved he had the "right stuff".
* If Rachel is the sole survivor, the Curator will say the player has kept her from falling into the darkness. He then claims Rachel had to dig deeper than most to survive, before mentioning the quote "*that which does not kill us, makes us stronger.*"
* If Jason is the sole survivor or he's alive with Salim...
	+ If they have a high relationship, the Curator will mention the quote "*the enemy of my enemy is my friend.*" The Curator will comment that Jason was a revelation who had finally made peace with the demons he had been carrying with him and forged the unlikeliest of friendship.
	+ If they have a low relationship, the Curator will mention the quote "*never can true reconcilement grow where wounds of deadly hate have pierced so deep,*" words which Jason lived by as he added. The Curator then says that he never learned to see eye-to-eye with Salim.
* If Salim is the sole survivor...
	+ If he left for home, the Curator says Salim survived to fight another day. He then adds that Salim couldn't accept being separated from his son, so he fought his way back to the light, before remarking how touching it is.
	+ If he was captured by the military, the Curator says Salim escaped "one hell" only to end up in another. He then says it will be a long time for him to see his son again, but at least he escaped with his life, if not his freedom.

The Curator can comment on the relationships of Eric and Nick, if they are only survivors.

* If they have a high relationship, the Curator will say it's encouraging to see them accept the past and make peace. He then suspects that's more agreeable than having to bury one or the other, before ending his sentence with "*friends... if only out of respect for Rachel's memory.*"
* If they have a low relationship, the Curator will say it seems both Eric and Nick will never see eye-to-eye. He then says they both loved and lost under the Arabian sands, in which their choices drove a wedge between them that can never be lifted, before adding they'll always be enemies until the last.

The Curator then will claim to be looking forward to the next encounter with the player, stating that he might choose a story that is a little more "homely", somewhere the player is guaranteed a "decent night's sleep", claiming that wherever it is, they'll find it "extremely hard" to leave. Finally, he bids the player farewell, claiming "they know the way out" of the repository.

### *Curator's Cut*

After the intro sequence plays out, the Curator welcomes the player again into the game, stating the story still has secrets to be discovered and the player's part is far from over. He then questions whether the player is ready to go "once more unto the breach". The rest of the conversation with the Curator plays out similarly as to the one that happens on the Theatrical Cut, with the exception that the Curator will state the player already knows who he is, but will introduce himself nonetheless.

The other encounters with the Curator occur exactly as they do in the Theatrical Cut.