Tides of Oblivion

## General info

Tides of Oblivion is a story DLC launched on the 19th of August, 2020, it includes:

● Expanded story and history of the World;

● A new playable character, the Swordsman Jerold, with his unique combat style;

● The vast new area of Ichthyosauria to explore;

● Numerous new monsters and bosses;

● A wide range of new trophies and items.

## Backstory

After stealing the Seals and splitting up with other leaders, Ebbinghaus and his people left Solas and established a new civilization inside a giant creature called Ichthyosauria. In order to resist the Dark Mist and the Sendril, they started consuming the Soul River Water, though it made them unable to preserve memories without drinking it regularly. They also used to collect the obsessions of the dead and put them into armor, creating Scavengers - powerful warriors who fought against Logos.

We have evidence that the Dark Mist appeared here way earlier than in Solas: “...I’m a stranger from the east, and I shouldn’t be here as my hometown has already long been in a deep slumber. Unlike Ichthyosauria, things here have only recently fallen asleep.” - Jerold’s introduction.

From tablets that we find in different places of the map, it’s possible to assume that here Ebbinghaus tried to build an equitable society under strict control:

* “Do not forsake reason brought by order. Endurance goes a long way. Learn to control yourself and you will be able to control all”;
* “Ichthyosauria is the one and only town of permanent happiness”;
* “Self-discipline is the only moral principle. The so-called freedom is not to allow yourself to act as you please, but to govern yourself”;
* “As long as you fulfill your duty, people will look up for you”
* “We grant ourselves the privilege of choice, and our choices shape us”.

It’s also worth mentioning that Samarosians were extremely loyal to Ebbinghaus: “People seem to have fanatical reverence for him. But unlike the Blessedland, it is not based on divine dignity” (Wrinkled Journal:III).

“Lord Ebbinghaus has cleared a path for underdogs like us, allowing us to find peace and happiness amid the sufferings of this world. He had taught us not to bother ourselves with desires and guided us to wisdom, peace and love. No longer do we need to worry or fall victim to war. I hope that he will lead Ichthyosauria forever. I will dedicate my all to him” (Ichthyosaurian Prayer).

Lots of years later, a ship with Handel and his crew survived a shipwreck and the Duke was found severely injured. Samarosians found them and sent Handel to receive Ebbinghaus’ therapy to cure his wounds. At the same time, after consuming the Soul River Water, the crew began hallucinating about the Colossal Grave and seeing their alters crying with black tears.

Gradually tension started building between two groups as the Samarosian noticed something was clearly wrong with Handel: “I followed a decree as usual and sent him to Ebbinghaus’ Essence. However, in that moment there was something in his usually weak eyes that made me shiver. It was as if he were a hungry beast...” (Weakened Boarding).

Samarosians started willingly turning themselves into Scavengers (though it had been prohibited by Ebbinghaus) and preparing for an open confrontation with the crew.

At some point Ebbinghaus ordered to shut down the Wall of Silence to starve the crew out by cutting off access to the water (Because all the Samarosian were told to leave lands before the Wall and they also undermined the ship). The Soul River Water became infected *(or likely Ebbinghaus infected it himself)* and even people inside the Wall started suffering from thirst.

However, the Duke had been affected by the Old God the most. He transformed into a giant beast and, following the voices in his head, broke through the Wall of Silence to take the Seal away, but he didn’t succeed.

## Present-time Events

On his way to the Sacred Tower in Katib Terrence encounters a mysterious man called Jerold, who came to Solas seeking for the Scarlet Meteor fragments. He warns him about the danger in the Tower and suggests a Courier backs off until it's too late.

After defeating Fused Sprenger in the Tower's basement, Jerold asks Terrence for some help. After finishing Edith Chapter, a way to the shore will be unlocked, and from there Terrence and Jerold start their way to Ichthyosauria. There they see the frightening state of things.

The Soul River dried out. People who are still alive there at the moment of Jerold’s return are stuck in short memory cycles. They all went mad, unable to keep their memories without the Soul River Water. The remnants of both the crew and Samarosians are slowly dying of thirst.

Jerold is confused because he doesn't remember anything of that happening, so he desperately wants to find Lord Ebbinghaus as fast as possible to get to the truth. For that they both have to break through the Wall of Silence and defeat Guderian the Guardian with the help of Bravo - a native boy, who seems like he's the only one sane in this place. Before entering the Wall, Terrence and Jerold also meet Carolyn - Guderian's wife.

She can be found near the Wall of Silence, it looks like she desperately wanted to reach him, but was too weak. From her own words it seems like after that loud roar Ichthyosauria did, Guderian started gradually losing his mind: “I don’t know how much time has passed. Again and again, every time I remember my mission, I try to awaken his imprisoned soul… But I could never break through that hard shell… I could only watch him lose himself… To become a killing machine...”.

*From Guderian’s Shiny Book we also see his farewell when he still was sane: “... I hate to say farewell, Carolyn, but I can no longer stay aloof from what’s going on. I long for your understanding, and I hope we will meet again”.*

Defeating the Guardian unlocks the way to the Tower of Origin - a place where, as Jerold believes, lord Ebbinghaus is. However, in the room on the very top wanderers find only duke Handel in the form of a beast, and after killing him Jerold finally gets to see Ebbinghaus. Unfortunately, they were too late. Terrence combines the fragments with the Seal and they leave this cursed place forever.