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Party Relationships

The narrative web of the playable party — who trusts whom, who clashes, and how those bonds shift across the journey. This page is the canonical home for interpersonal dynamics; for how the same cast fights together (synergy, role coverage, friction), see Party Combat. For each character's standalone profile and combat archetype, see the Characters roster.

These relationships are not static. Almost every pairing begins in suspicion, indifference, or open hostility and is reforged by shared survival. Two threads in particular are branching: Sophia's affection resolves toward either Cyrus or Euphen depending on play, and only one of those branches comes to pass.

Quick index

Each character's relationships, linked. A pair is written once, under whichever member comes first in party order.

Cyrus

Cyrus & Vaughn

At first a mere curiosity, their relationship quickly evolves into that of brothers-in-arms. Vaughn loves to play off of Cyrus, who is usually his straight man. The two enjoy good combat synergy, and Vaughn likes it when Cyrus opens up and cuts loose.

Cyrus & Phaidros

An engineer and a scientist. At first, Phaidros is thoroughly untrusting of Cyrus and his story. Gradually, through repeated demonstration, Phaidros comes to trust Cyrus's combat prowess, then his skills, then his story. For his part, Cyrus is frustrated to be doubted, but gets over it quickly, and has tremendous respect for Phaidros as a scientist and theorist. They like to bounce theories off each other, and each enjoys teaching and learning from the other.

Cyrus & Paidi

Cyrus is initially not terribly interested in Paidi; she reminds him of other women he's known, and seems like more trouble than she's worth. When her village is destroyed, it awakens something uncomfortable within him — the possibility that his own loss may be irrecoverable. Because of this, he initially chooses to distance himself from her, despite her fascination with him. He eventually overcomes this after coming to terms with the reality of his situation, and from then on looks to her as a source of boundless positivity.

Cyrus & Lione

Cyrus is fascinated by her gadgets, and can more safely relate to her loss as she is not actively grieving. He encourages her to make the most of what she can with her new life among the party; while she is initially frustrated with his pragmatism, Lione comes to look at Cyrus as an emotional stabilizer.

Cyrus & Euphen

The two men out of time. Euphen is the first to truly confront Cyrus with the fact that he might not be able to go home. Euphen is encouraging from this standpoint, as he has found peace with the fact that he is a wanderer. Cyrus, in turn, begins to lead Euphen by showing him that just because the latter's bonds may be temporary, they are not worthless.

Cyrus & Chiranjeevi

Chiranjeevi chafes at Cyrus's leadership at first. This is particularly because Chiranjeevi is of two minds — a large part of him wants to take the fight to the Collective, and sees Cyrus's group as the best opportunity to do that, but he wants them to act more aggressively. More than that, he wants his people to finally have peace — whether through bloodshed, or through avoidance if possible.

Cyrus & Sophia

They are each other's only true tie to their previous lives, and they have history. Once academic rivals (really, a one-sided rivalry, since Cyrus was more focused on his own performance), then coworkers, and now eternal outsiders, Sophia does not know what to think when she encounters Cyrus again. On one level, she feels relief that the world she once knew is no longer totally erased. On the other hand, she feels bitterness — she has been enduring an inescapable hell for the past three years while he sat, blissful, in amber. Part of her had always suspected that he would wake up; while she does not know for a fact that the others have all awoken, she did.

For their first few encounters, she attacks with a personal vehemence, gradually revealing more of her frustration and confusion. After she is defeated by the party, their strength convinces her that they may actually have a chance, and she defects. She remains distant, and the relationship between the pair stays a bit hostile — but as she sees that Cyrus has grown into a leader, she is surprised to find respect and a budding attraction take root. She still pushes both of them to be their best, and redirects her bitterness at the Collective instead. Cyrus is similarly relieved to find someone from his world; even if his doubts about going home are already confirmed before they meet, it is a tremendous comfort to find someone who can understand him and share his past.

(This is one of two branches for Sophia's affection; see Euphen & Sophia for the other.)

Vaughn

Vaughn & Phaidros

Uncle and nephew. Vaughn's parents were adventurers, and Phaidros was good friends with them. After their deaths, Phaidros became Vaughn's anchor, and while the two now operate as peers, Vaughn still leans on Phaidros for advice on technical (and some leadership) matters. Phaidros relies on Vaughn for his youthful energy and abundant charisma.

Vaughn & Paidi

Vaughn is a bit old-fashioned and is hesitant to bring a woman — particularly such an obviously naive one — into the wilderness with them. Still, the two share a jovial, almost Dionysian spirit, and like to drink together. Generally quite hardened against loss, Vaughn struggles at first to commiserate with the destruction of Paidi's village (and feels she did not properly appreciate what she had), but eventually learns to encourage her.

Vaughn & Lione

The younger sister Vaughn never had; the two play off of each other seamlessly from the get-go. He struggles to relate to the phenomenal power that she controls, but while the rest of the party walks on eggshells around her at first, Vaughn always sees the person behind the power.

Vaughn & Euphen

A senior hunter and tracker, Euphen earns Vaughn's admiration, and Vaughn wishes to learn from him. Euphen, who has never had a younger brother, struggles to instruct or even explain exactly how he does what he does. Vaughn is a willing learner, and encourages the older man to impart his wisdom.

Vaughn & Chiranjeevi

Vaughn is at first hostile to Chiranjeevi in a very personal way. He has been involved in skirmishes with the Vanarites, and initially dismisses Chiranjeevi's interest in joining their group and cause. Eventually, the two bond over their mutual love of exploration and the outdoors — both have an adventurer's spirit.

Vaughn & Sophia

Vaughn mostly likes to treat her the same way he treats Cyrus — she is too serious. He enjoys poking fun at her, and she finds him quite annoying.

Phaidros

Phaidros & Paidi

Initially, Paidi finds Phaidros to be a stodgy old man who reminds her of the master monks. She quickly comes to appreciate the boundaries that he sets for both the group and her specifically, and begins to look to him for guidance. She gains even more interest in him when she learns that he is not a Unitarian. Phaidros is initially indifferent to her, then a bit unsettled by her newfound attentiveness. This develops into a one-sided relationship, Paidi seeking a father she never got to know. Phaidros eventually learns to appreciate her youthful energy and her affections, and this blossoms into romance.

Phaidros & Lione

Phaidros is initially quite intrigued by her abilities and power, which makes Lione uncomfortable — but it doesn't take long for Phaidros to realize, with horror, that his mother was one of the key scientists who pioneered the research and experiments that led to Lione's creation. Wracked with guilt by association, he eventually reveals this to Lione, who becomes extremely emotional and hostile toward him, and by extension the rest of the party. Phaidros eventually risks his life for her, and she breaks down in tears, finally willing to trust him. Thereafter, he becomes something of a gruff, surrogate father to her.

Phaidros & Euphen

As with Cyrus, Phaidros begins quite suspicious of Euphen and his motives. Eventually, he recognizes Euphen as something even rarer than Lione — a test subject the likes of which he has never encountered. This makes Euphen deeply uncomfortable. The pair eventually build more trust, as Phaidros comes to depend on Euphen's hunting and tracking abilities, and Euphen allows the former to study him (non-invasively, of course) in hopes that the findings will contribute to their overall mission.

Phaidros & Chiranjeevi

Phaidros has lived his early life as an uncritical victim of relentless Collective and City propaganda that painted the Vanarites as thieves, brutes, and child-abductors. Like Vaughn, he has experience skirmishing with them out in the wilderness, which further cemented his negative impressions. He is initially extremely hostile. But as the two prideful men are repeatedly forced to rely on one another, his contempt erodes into a hard-won mutual respect.

Phaidros & Sophia

Phaidros is even more suspicious of Sophia's motives in joining the party than the others, since she was previously an open enemy. However, while he maintains his distance from her, he comes to appreciate her — particularly for what she represents to Cyrus. While he is somewhat uncomfortable with the prospect of a female engineer (despite being, himself, in violation of gender roles), he comes to respect her talents both as a warrior and an engineer.

Paidi

Paidi & Lione

An impressionable younger sister. Paidi is generally far more easygoing than Lione, and encourages her to learn to go with the flow rather than be irritated by every little thing. The pair enjoy each other's company and have fun together.

Paidi & Euphen

Paidi can sense that Euphen is not native to this world, and that deeply disturbs her. She has an instinctive aversion to the man, which is not easily allayed.

Paidi & Chiranjeevi

United by being outsiders, Paidi — and the Elpidi generally — have a very positive relationship with the Vanarites. Paidi is one of the strongest advocates for Chiranjeevi's inclusion in the party, and the two of them are comrades-in-arms.

Paidi & Sophia

Paidi is initially a bit fearful of Sophia — the older woman's stern demeanor puts off the free-spirited Paidi, and Sophia's association with the Collective raises Paidi's guard. Paidi is at first quick to defer to her for fear of reprisal, but Paidi's strong sense of justice and empathy for the weak cause the two to butt heads. That conflict leads Sophia to re-evaluate the younger woman and gain respect for her, on realizing that Paidi is right. Thereafter, the two stand on a much more even footing.

Lione

Lione & Euphen

The two anomalies. Where others are hesitant to upset Lione after seeing her power in action, Euphen has grown accustomed to dealing with insecure yet empowered youths. He tells it to her straight, and while this initially upsets her, she finds herself drawn to him for his honesty and wisdom.

Lione & Chiranjeevi

Lione is initially a bit wary of Chiranjeevi. She doesn't know what to think of the Vanarites, having been convinced that they are one of her main enemies — those whom she was raised and conditioned to kill. She wonders if he fears her as a weapon intended to wipe out his people; and while he is initially fearful of the power at her disposal, he soon identifies her correctly as a lost child, of which the Vanarites have had far too many. This endears him to her.

Lione & Sophia

Lione initially looks up to Sophia as an older sister, or even an aunt, and wants to attach to her. Sophia, who has grown accustomed to treating these children merely as weapons, initially rebuffs her attempts, which greatly hurts Lione — particularly as she has lost so many. After Sophia gets some perspective from other party members (particularly Euphen and Phaidros), she warms to the girl. In Sophia, Lione sees someone she would like to emulate: a self-actualized, capable woman. Sophia, in turn, learns that she doesn't always need to protect herself and her feelings.

Euphen

Euphen & Chiranjeevi

Two men who have faced loss and become hardened to what must be done. Euphen is the warmest member of the party toward Chiranjeevi. He attempts to discourage Chiranjeevi's bloodlust, if only out of pragmatism.

Euphen & Sophia

Euphen finds her attractive, but this leads him to establish distance — which only emboldens her. Should Sophia not find refuge with Cyrus, Euphen begins to receive her affection, and the result is a passionate affair rendered tragic by virtue of its necessary transience.

(This is one of two branches for Sophia's affection; see Cyrus & Sophia for the other.)

Chiranjeevi

Chiranjeevi & Sophia

Ardent enemies; each is initially repulsed by the other. Chiranjeevi does not trust her motives in joining the party, and considers her expendable. Sophia has long since learned to treat Vanarites as the enemy, and has difficulty letting go of that even after her defection. The two frequently butt heads and disagree about how things should be done, often merely on the principle of the source rather than the coherence of the position. Eventually, they discover that they share a passionate contempt for the Collective unmatched by any other party member, and become firm comrades-in-arms.

Sophia

All of Sophia's relationships are documented under the earlier-ordered party member; see the quick index above.

Adam (optional recruit)

Adam is the optional ninth recruit, and his relationships are not yet written. The only established thread is his rivalry with Vaughn:

  • Adam & Vaughn — Near-constant conflict; their prideful, antagonistic temperaments put them on a collision course, and only the intervention of other party members keeps them from coming to blows. (See Adam's profile and the Party Combat dynamics table.)

The remaining seven pairings (Adam with Cyrus, Phaidros, Paidi, Lione, Euphen, Chiranjeevi, and Sophia) are open. See Worldbuilding TODO for this thread.

See also

  • Characters — the party roster and per-character profiles.
  • Party Combat — the same relationships viewed through combat synergy, role coverage, and friction.