The meaning behind the imagery on the Master Arts cards from Ao no Kiseki has been a topic of discussion for almost a decade now, which has spun into a number of theories about the Sept-Terrion, Holy Beasts, etc. Trails of Cold Steel IV killed some of these, but there are still a few areas that haven’t been considered in much detail. In this theory, I want to expand upon and modify my Reddit post analyzing the flower imagery on each of the cards based on new observations.
Continue reading In Bloom: the Master Cards’ flowersTag Archives: Trails of Cold Steel III
Chinese Destiny and Sept Terrion
In a previous theory, I outlined how the 4 lower elements corresponded to the four aspects of tarot alchemy, which were: Fire to soul and spirit, Earth to physical bodies, Water to emotion and the heart, and Wind to the Mind and thought. One little hole in that theory was always how the higher elements (Space, Mirage and Time) fit into that paradigm. I originally looked at solving this problem through looking at older Western cosmology, with the four lower elements representing the terrestrial, sublunary spheres whereas the three higher elements belonged to the celestial, translunar spheres. Whilst I still believe there is a strong likelihood that this is the case, this time I would like to suggest an alternative paradigm which incorporates all seven in a slightly different way.
The Nature of Septium
Today’s crack theory is about the nature of Septium. What it is made of, how it is formed and some hints of where it might ultimately come from. In an attempt to answer these questions, I would like to direct the focus on a collectible novel series that is much overlooked: Back-Alley Doctor Glenn. This theory has been fine-tuned with the help from Alza from spacebattle as well as Yotaka from Falcom Romancia.
The Fall of Arteria
Throughout the games, there have repeatedly been various indications and eventually, undoubtable proof that the Septian Church has been around since long before it’s supposed first appearance at the end of the Dark Ages. This theory shows the various evidence for such and then speculates the about the event which caused the disappearance and possibly almost destroyed the Septian Church.
Zemuria’s Darkest Day
Continuing from my last theory, “Defective Gods”, this time I look at the abstract nature of the higher elements. Previously I argued that the lower elements correlate to the metaphysical components of man. Here, I build on that to argue that the higher elements should correspond to “beyond man”, namely God, which I then use to define the would-be Sept-Terrion of Time, the Unbound.
Seven Elements, Ideals and the Tribes that Strive for Them
With four of the seven Sept-Terrion revealed, some patterns have started to emerge and I thought I would take a crack at determining each of the seven’s roles and how they differ to one another from an elemental perspective. This will also be a summary of what we can learn from the existing Sept-Terrion and how we can use them to work out the function and basis for the remaining three. Furthermore, we are told that each of the seven tribes were gifted by Aidos based on the aspects of each treasure that best fit their entire civilization, and I wanted to have a crack at working out what each them did and the philosophies that drove those civilizations.
Continue reading Seven Elements, Ideals and the Tribes that Strive for Them
Defective Gods
Note: This theory is based on a conversation I had with Latte in the Falcom Discord server and the idea that the four lower elements are based on tarot alchemy is his.
1200 years ago a single event shook all of Zemuria leading to the loss of the Goddess’s Treasures and a collapse of their advanced civilizations. In all known cases, immediately after the Great Collapse, the Tribes lost control their respective Sept-Terrion. Here, I show the connection between Tarot Alchemy and Erebonia’s Treasures and then use that connection to argue why they lost control of them, which I then use to make a prediction on how the remaining tribes of the lower elements lost control of theirs. Continue reading Defective Gods
Land of Lies
In my last theory, The Eyes of Ra, I focused mostly on connecting the Arc en Ciel play from Zero no Kiseki to the potential Sept-Terrion(s) of Calvard, and at the end, I briefly brought up that Calvard comes from the latin calvor meaning “to deceive” making Calvard the “Land of Lies”. Hell, even the emblem, a leaf blocking the sun, could be a metaphor for obscuring the truth. This theory reviews the connection between the name of each country and the themes of the stories told in them while making a set of predictions for the Calvard arc based on this link.
Gone but not totally forgotten
With the first cold steel game releasing on PS4, and with II&III following later this year in English I thought I’d share my little theory before I find some side dialogue in the last two Erebonia games when they come out in English that’ll completely destroy it. I’ve never actually written a full theory before so bear with me. This theory involves Rean’s memories before he was adopted along with the possibility of them being relevant in the future, with spoilers from all four Erebonia games. Continue reading Gone but not totally forgotten
The Eyes of Ra
Calvard and the East have been synonyms since the series’s inception. This connection was first evoked by Zin and Kilika’s attires and fighting techniques, then further bolstered by Crossbell City’s East Street. When discussing Calvard, we always tend to look at the Far East. Aren’t we, as Hellseye47 suggests in the following theory, overlooking another region named the Middle East? Come on, we’re going to Egypt.
– Gu4n