Fool's Missives Complete Text

Thanks to Lord Lanre on Youtube for uploading footage of the text of the original missives. If you want to see the Missives in-game, check out the video here!

I've added the text of the missives from the DLC to the bottom of this post so they aren't in separate posts anymore! However, the missives exclusive to the book are still in their own post.

Fool's Missive I

Chaos Shrine I This building did not exist -- at least, not according to the Lufenians' records. It was only first observed after the Strangers were dispatched here. Why it appears when darkness proliferates remains a mystery... though my bet is that you, my dear friends, are intricately involved. Now that all of you have given yourselves over to Chaos, it draws you together and serves as a focus for all your hopes. It is where your story begins, and where all will end.

Fool's Missive II

Cornelia Ah, Cornelia! The joyous city with its proud alabaster castle! Though it lives in the shadow of chaos, its noble people greet the dawn with heads held high.

The spirits of Cornelia's common folk are sustained by the royal family, particularly the beloved princesses. Princess Sarah is Cornelia's moon, her silvery smile a balm that heals any troubled heart. Princess Mia is its sun, a source of comforting warmth to all.

Yet it is a prophecy too that sustains the people's hopes, the wise words of Luhkan foretelling warriors of light who will one day rise up and lead Cornelia to salvation.

Fool's Missive III

Chaos Shrine II I had never known a shrine to be here, not in all my past observations. It seems to have suddenly appeared, yet no one has paid this phenomenon any mind. Something must have happened. But what could have triggered this to appear in the distant future, in a place where no one would interfere...?

Fool's Missive IV

Bikke Bikke is a crusty pirate; of that there is no doubt. Upon our first meeting, I offered to bestow a modicum of my wisdom upon him in return for a promise to guide all who seek chaos to me. To my surprise, he accepted with, ahem... gusto.

A remarkable man, unlike others of his kind he has shown no signs of mistrust or disgust towards me despite my eccentricities or lineage. I suppose his experience as a corsair captain has taught him to use whatever advantages present themselves, regardless of their origin.

Still, I find him to be a fascinating subject, despite his painfully boorish jokes. I only pray that the scraps of knowledge I offer him as gifts will help bend the strands of fate that torment this troubled world.

Fool's Missive V

Pravoka Seagrot It appears that aspects of the aquatic flora and fauna of Dimension 14, not to mention the geography--it is a place quite similar in climate to here, if I recall--inspired the design of this region. I suppose some macroscopic features of this particular environment make it more susceptible to my erstwhile masters' tender ministrations. Really, they exact such twisted pleasure from warping the land to their will.

I had not anticipated this when I first began my observations, but this inhospitable coast has become the den of villainous pirates. Perhaps an echo of the dimension this area was modeled after? 

Fool's Missive VI

The Western Keep Ah yes, good old Dimension 2--or the far side of it, anyway. Rumors speak of it as a world steeped in cunning artifice and ruled by a sovereign with a penchant for pernicious tyranny. This cozy little keep was modeled on a location of great significance to said despot, or so I'm told. If that is indeed true, it must be a potent nexus of energy to twist this world to my erstwhile masters' design. Of course, that is true only if I continue to play the part of their faithful fool.

Fool's  Missive VII

Dark Crystal Functions The dark crystals are potent tools. Their powers are many, but most notable is their primary function: to erase memories upon spatial transference and leave naught but an urgent desire in their stead. It is a convenient way to purge inconvenient truths that may prove contrary to the masters' purposes while simultaneously ensuring their agents carry out their mission. Indispensable, it turns out, as residual memories of the past that linger in this world have a tendency to distract agents and steer them down inconvenient paths.

The dark crystals possess many subsidiary functions as well. For one, they serve as temporary storage devices for lost memories. They also seem to attract memory fragments remaining from previous iterations. Lastly, they somehow seem to transcend dimensional paradoxes and remain forever in this world.

Of course, I would be a fool not to turn these crystals to my own ends. They must regain their memories. My lost little ducklings have forgotten which way the wind must blow, and I will use any means to give them a gentle push in the right direction.

Fool's Missive VIII

The Four Crystals Four crystalline matrixes whose function is to efficiently sustain an unstable world. Placed with great care, they work to balance the primeval energies of the elements and maintain a tenuous harmony. They still the earth when it quakes, quiet the roaring winds, quell raging flames, and restrain the surging tides. To the superstitious humans who dwell here in this land, they must indeed seem as gods of peace and order. And yet, what would those ignorant folk say if they knew that the crystals absorb emotions both kind and cruel, slowly warping them to chaos, filling up with perilous energies until they erupt in malevolent darkness?

Fools Missive IX

The Fifth Dark Crystal A girl once walked these lands in ages long past. Skilled in both sword and sorcery yet pure of heart, she longed for nothing more than to see that there was peace and prosperity for all. If her time and place had been differed, perhaps her end would have been a happier one. Instead, she perceived the rotting core the blights this world and chose to fall to darkness in hopes that she could lead the people to the light.

I saw potential in her plight, and so I gifted her a dark crystal along with a fraction of the truth. Yes, I used her, but for good purpose. The crystal allowed her to be reborn time and time again, and more importantly, laid the fourth an final karmic piece on a board that will one day lead my dear friend to an inevitable conclusion

Fool's Missive X

Memory Vexing though it is, the dark crystal's special features erase his memories upon every return to this world. So potent are its effects, the man can't even remember his own name. Strangely enough, it appears that the effects of those phantoms on the others are more ambiguous, leading me to believe a portion of their memories are somehow retained intact. Nevertheless, I suspect the only fact they can recall clearly is that his particular powers are required for our little plan. Still, this should be enough to capitalize on to gain their assistance. I will need to continue to observe them during the next cycle before I make any overt moves, however. Just in case.

Fool's Missive XI

The Refrin Wetlands Dimension 13 is a strange place crafted and governed by a system of divine machines. Though discovered relatively recently, much effort seems to have been put into investigating whether elements necessary for twisting the world can be found in this extraplanar pocket dimension. All that hard work seemed to point quite clearly at this rather aquatic locale.

It appears to be a simple matter to artificially manipulate local weather patterns to force the introduction of unnatural warping into a biosphere. The result: a darkness generator. The product of a perverse design is on full display here, which makes for a fascinating spectacle.

Fool's Missive XII

The Crystal Mirage Modeled after a location discovered in Dimension 3, this area has inherited its antecedent's amusingly high level of architectural occultation. Crystal Mirage? An apt name for the prototype of the Mirage Tower found in this world.

Experiments carried out here informed the shaping of the Mirage Tower, and once that was completed, this facility was left here with functionality intact to molder and twist the land around it.

Fool's Missive XIII

The Flying Fortress No soaring spire nor towering peak offers such a glorious vantage point to look down upon the world below. For what purpose was it built? I can only assume some form of transportation used by a kingdom or people long vanished from the pages of history.

From my observations, it seems that this floating citadel's inspiration can be traced to the lofty minarets found in Dimension 4. Altered, of course, like so much else, and redesigned to function as a mobile teleportation platform. I can only assume the wind crystal was located here to provide the energy source for this structure's warp mechanisms.

Fool's Missive XIV

The Fiend of Wind Once upon a time, there was a woman who wished above all else to save the world. Her empathy was her torment, and soon her days were spent consumed with hatred for her own powerlessness--and for the cruel masters who created her miserable world. Alas, naught awaited her but a pointless and violent end. With her last breath she cursed this unjust existence, and lo! Her bitterness reached out and joined hands to the dark emotions swirling within a darkening crystal, and she was reborn as a manifestation of pure malice: Tiamat, Fiend of Wind!

In their gilded halls, the Lufenians frowned at this most unfortunate turn of events. Since that day, she was no longer permitted to return. And yet a hatred as powerful as hers could not be silenced, and no matter how many times the world begins anew she endures, brooding, rancorous, bloated with raw hatred.

Fool's Missive XV

Phantoms A phantom remains almost exactly in the spot in which its corporeal previous existence once perished in worlds past. Creatures of lingering regret, the anguish they feel at the failure in which their previous lives ended keeps them bound in place, transcending time and space to wail their impotent sobs into the uncaring void. Still they remain, seeking succor from themselves, hoping beyond hop to aid their souls reborn so that they don't repeat the same mistakes time and time again.

I only hope that the knowledge these phantoms hold may aid my friends with their formidable task...

Fool's Missive XVI

The Wicked Arbor Someone once told me that this location bears a striking similarity to a place in Dimension 9. There, it is a strange locus that exudes darkness--or something resembling it--and has a guardian that resides within.

Why my erstwhile masters chose to reconstruct that curious spot here I cannot say, but it has become a powerful source of local warping. Surprisingly, it appears not to be an exact replica. Perhaps it was altered in an experimental attempt to prevent any unwanted guests from reaching the crystal?

Fools Missive XVII

Mount Gulg With its fiery chasms and gouts of flame, this land feels as if it was shaped specifically to pay homage to the fire crystal. As I understand it, my erstwhile masters chose a site from Dimension 8 to model this locale after. There it was the domain of a lord of flame, and surprise of surprises, they didn't turn off the pyrotechnics when they recreated it here In fact, I recall a talk the lead designer gave discussing how the presence of this location has increased the aggregate thermal energy of the world.

Fool's Missive XVIII

The Fiend of Fire Once upon a time, there was a girl who prayed with all her might to become Chaos. Her prayers were answered when she made a deal with certain parties she befriended. With newly acquired dark crystal in hand, she let her rage devour her, and in the instant before death took her, the emotions and darkness gathered within the fire crystal reached out and took her hand. Thus the girl was reborn as Marilith, Fiend of Fire.

Ahem, storytelling aside, it appears the dark crystals are indeed the trigger. I had thought the darkness and emotional energy alone were enough, but only when the torrent of memories held by one with a powerful will links their heart to a dark crystal can chaos emerge. Strange to think that while my erstwhile masters fear the notion of chaos, it is by their own hand that they shape the conditions from which it forms. How amusingly awkward for them.

Fool's Missive XIX

The Hallowed Massif The land around the earth crystal's temple was once fertile and green, a lush paradise flowing with milk and honey. The foul designs of the Lufenians changed all that, and by their hand all became barren and tainted.

But I get ahead of myself. This locale was modeled after a towering peak from Dimension 10. After being set here, the fertile valleys and rich meadows of this mountain range were transformed into an eternally frozen landscape of death.

I do not imagine those who once prayed here could ever have foreseen the blasted desolation this land would become.

Fool's Missive XX

The Cavern of Earth All that lives must one day perish, all flesh destined to return to the earth and nourish new growth. Thus, the power of rock and stone, soil and loam, is inexplicably tied to that of death. Ah, here I am waxing philosophical again. Bad habits.

Now, it is from Dimension 12 that the sanctum of earth was drawn, a graveyard where death dwells and the power of the earth can wax full. Apparently, this locale was modeled on a tomb for some ancient exalted one. Fascinating.

Fool's Missive XXI

The Fiend of Earth Once upon a time, a... friend of mine was driven by a conviction so strong it could put fear into the hearts of the gods themselves. A man looked up to him, and my friend in turn trusted this man with his life This man, well, the thing he feared most was losing his companions, and one in particular most of all. Not just because he had faith in him, no, but because there was some great deed he was destined to do. And so this man strove to become strong enough to protect everyone he cared about.

He failed. Soon both he and his friends lay dead by the wayside, their bones destined to rot in the sand. Or so it was to be, until the ball of sorrow and regret that was the man's soul linked with the darkness inside the earth crystal and transformed his remains into Lich, Fiend of Earth.

The arrogant masters in their gilded halls knew naught of this. For you see, I kept this particular tidbit of information from them for the sake of our plan.

Fool's Missive XXII

The Ruins of Machina In the world that inspired this place lies a kingdom that used the power of crystals to flourish. In my humble opinion, that ability to manipulate crystals was what they should have chosen as a model from Dimension 5. But no, they chose an ancient ruin studded with weapons that resembles nothing more than a colossal ship of war I can only assume they intended this location as an emergency plan of sorts. Its motive power being a powerful crystal, authorization for its deployment was strictly limited to true emergencies only. That being said, it seems that those who crafted this place never had any occasion to use these weapons, and so the ruins were buried, slowly decaying into corruption.

Fool's Missive XXIII

The Sunken Shrine A facility for harvesting the energy of a planet. Not unusual in Dimension 7, the place that inspired this particular work. In fact, that harvesting mechanism is modeled in detail here to serve as a safe repository for the water crystal.

Using collected energy as a power source, the crystal was intended to control the waters of this world in an attempt to maintain balance. The great power of water to nourish causes the absorption of too much energy and prayer, however--regardless of whether good or ill. In the end, this will cause the crystal to fall to corruption, and in its fall it will twist this world to dark ends.

Fool's Missive XXIV

The Fiend of Water In a previous loop, he told me that unlike the others he was a mere commoner, or its equivalent. Perhaps some arcane social intricacies up there I dare no theorize about are to blame, but from what I saw of him, his abilities and rank put him on equal footing with the other Strangers. Still, be persisted in debasing himself.

Now for a man beguiled by strength like him, having such a prime specimen of pure power always near at hand must have contributed to his inferiority complex. Then again, it must be hard to see your own worth when your peers are prodigies too. That must have fueled the resentment he drowned in as he laid dying, and what triggered his transformation into Kraken, Fiend of Water. Ironically, this very transformation is what proves beyond doubt that he is the equal of any of his peers.

Fool's Missive XXV

The Sixth Dark Crystal When a strong-willed bearer of a dark crystal merges with the tenebrous emotions of the world, it is a gamble whether or not they can withstand the transformation into fiend. Curious though I may be to learn the answer to this question, whether or not she could endure this process remains a mystery for now. Then again, it is unlikely she would ever suffer herself to be joined in any way to the darkness Even still, to achieve the future my dear friend so desperately seeks, this very scenario must come to pass. She is the final piece of the puzzle, and perhaps even the most potent of them all.

Fool's Missive XXVI

Princess Sarah I She is akin to the crystals. I do not say this idly, of course, but with great conviction. Like the crystals, she is an object of love, worship, gratitude, and hope. Light is drawn to her like a moth is to flame.

But she too bears a dark crystal, and so the darkness that springs from reality's warping is also drawn to her What this means is that her existence is likely to become that of a harmonizing element--one of a rare few that can maintain the balance between light and dark.

Fool's Missive XXVII

Princess Sarah II When the harmonious balance that defines her collapses--in short, when the darkness of her crystal or her innate light undergo a sudden, violent shift--a singularity that will warp the very fabric of this world will manifest. All the darkness in Cornelia will gather to her, and when it joins to her light there will be no mutual annihilation, but a convergence leading to the birth of Chaos. It is this very end that my dear friend must seek, painful though it may be for him to endure. For he needs her to fulfill this forgotten aim, and seeing her safe is the key to everything.

Fool's Missive XXVIII

Princess Sarah III Within the heart of the singularity he will be reborn. But to be merely reborn is not enough--he must accept the chaotic darkness of the singularity into his very soul

Following a similar principle to how the fiends manifest, it is emotion and despair merging that converts the gloom born from a singularity into true darkness. From this it should be evident that darkness will follow him wherever he goes, drawn ever to the gravitational well of his momentous despair. It is the darkness injected into this world and the darkness born and bred here that will guide him to the inevitable conclusion of our ploy. All that is left is for him to use the warp device I prepared to send himself and all his accompanying shadows to that pocket dimension of theirs.

Our plan will end in failure if we cannot seize the power to reset the world from them. Isn't that right, Jack?

Fool's Missive XXIX

Jack I The desperate hunger gnawing at the Strangers' hearts was put there by the Lufenians. The urge to destroy Chaos is the principle that will guide them, and through it the overall quantity of darkness in this world will be diminished. That is why he fights even now.

But what will become of him when Chaos in all its current forms is defeated? When he rediscovers his own links to Lufenia? What then will be his reason to fight?

If he cannot remember his final goal, it is then that my services as shepherd will truly be needed... though I genuinely hope that he can recall his true mission without need for my intervention.

Fool's Missive XXX

Jack II There is a fairy tale that is well known. A story of heroes who wield the holy power of light to banish the vile darkness. The people hail them as saviors, showering them with honor and affection and giving them a noble appellation: the warriors of light.

Of course, it's all a load of hogwash. A fable cooked up by ignorant fools who cling to idiotic fantasies while remaining blind to reality. I've seen this story play out a thousand times, and it bores me. The dimwitted masses work themselves into a frenzy of hope. When their impossible expectations are not met, they sink into the depths of despair. What follows is condemnation, hatred, and inevitable betrayal. The true nature of man. A pretty thing, isn't it?

Yet despite all of this, my dear friend still wishes to protect this world. Though... no, that is misleading. Salvation is a mere side effect. What he does is not for the sake of some noble ideal. No, his motivations are pure: hatred and rage.

Fool's Missive XXXI

Jack III This world is Lufenia's playground; a laboratory for them to conduct their experiments in light and dark, with every living thing their lab animal. Jack was understandably filled with unspeakable fury when he learned this truth. He is a pure sort, and it is this very innocence that pushes him to rebel against his masters now, no matter how futile that struggle may be. Perhaps this aspect of his personality too was implanted in him by the Lufenians, but I choose to believe otherwise. Heart is what defines my Jack, and I will put my faith in that.

It was Jack who authored our play, and even if he forgets it--even if he forgets me--I will gladly risk life and limb to set him on the right path. We will sever our world from its unjust fate and set it spiraling into a chaotic void where it can finally be master of its own destiny. That is the least I can do to thank him and the others for accepting me as one of their own.

Fool's Missive XXXII

The Warriors of Light The entity known as Chaos did not exist in this world originally. In truth, it can only manifest when a number of conditions are met: ample darkness generated by distortions, a warrior's will, burgeoning emotions, and all of the above binding themselves inextricably to a dark crystal. Only then can Chaos emerge to wrest away the power of the crystals.

It bears to reason then that the mythical warriors of light too may not exist natively, but require an external catalyst. This is merely an educated guess, but I believe with the radiance of a healthy crystal, an appropriate medium--a dark crystal would do most nicely--and  warrior's will--no, I shouldn't waste any more time on this trifling matter. The answer is clear to me, after all. The only heroes capable of freeing Cornelia from Lufenia's vile grasp are Jack, Sophia, Neon, Ash, and Jed. Of that I have no doubt.

Fool's Missive XXXIII

The Ancients' Tower The facility they sent here this time is a tower of legend in Dimension 11. It is filled with a great machine, it is said, from which a singularity can be woken that can reshape the very laws of the cosmos. If that is indeed true, then I do not doubt it can be used to accelerate the formation of darkness and usher in the apocalypse.

While the wailing moans of despair do not yet echo full in the air, the time is not yet ripe to open the gates of Armageddon. But with my subtle guidance, I do not expect the advent of true despair to be far off.

Fool's Missive XXXIV

Vigilia Court This twin-headed skyscraper once played host to a crystal, and as such contains the technology needed to control its power. I was told that in its origin world--Dimension 15--the crystal was stolen, which was the trigger that allowed darkness to engulf that realm. I have no way of knowing what the fate of that place was, but it appears that the Lufenians brainstormed a way to send perfectly measured packages of darkness its way. I suppose they were left with no choice but to abandon the subtler methods they usually prefer.

Fool's Missive XXXV

Terra Tortura They call this place a "facility." A facility, hah! It's like calling a planet a rock. Accurate, yes, but it does not do it justice. An island, a massive continent, it was chosen this time for the vast stores of quasi-magical energy stored here. In Dimension 6 where legends of this land still linger, it is a harbinger of the end of times. Likely as not, the energy lying untapped here has something to do with that. Though the sum total of darkness grows ever greater, if you, my dear friend, can make it here, perhaps this time...

Fool's Missive XXXVI

On the Topic of Species Many peoples were born from Lufenia's biological experiments. Take the dwarves, for example. Strong, resilient, optimized for survival in a wide array of inhospitable climes, dwarves were created from the Lufenians' attempts to adapt humans to a variety of different environments. And don't even get me started on the elves, a species that emerged from a mutation resulting from the Lufenians' gleeful manipulation of the genes for long life.

What I'm driving at is that to the Lufenians, all life on our world has no value except as lab specimens. I suppose this "glorious future" they're driving at needs a lot of artificially produced organic creations.

Fool's Missive XXXVII

About the Author (Asots) I am an organic reconnaissance unit, and like so many other peoples of Cornelia, a product of Lufenia's penchant for biogenetic manipulation.

I am, in essence, a local elf that was "recovered" and manufactured into what I am today. Not to brag, but I recall hearing that my design was quite ingenious, too. Similar to the dark crystals, I was tailored to monitor darkness while accumulating data in memory format. Even were I to die, those memories would be simply transferred into a fresh vessel by the Lufenians' technological cunning.

Fool's Missive XXXVIII

Chaos Describe Chaos for me, will you? What shape does this legendary creature of darkness and terror assume? To listen to the rumors on the street, as many fanciful forms as there are stars in the sky. And yet, there is one trait all descriptions have in common: it appears as an inhuman monster, terrible to behold.

When rage and despair are bound to emotion, Chaos takes form. How will it change my dear friend, I wonder, when his transformation is complete? An anatomy of terror in the eyes of the Lufenians, I am sure, but to my fellow conspirators and I, a last glittering ray of hope.

Fool's Missive XXXIX

Letter to Jack I The Lufenians speak of this "glorious future" of theirs with reverence, but it is a future for who, exactly? It is painfully obvious that any and all life in Cornelia has no place in their coming utopia. And in that sense, their seemingly cruel actions are completely rational--at least from the perspective of maintaining balance.

And that is precisely why I must ensure that your desperate plan succeeds, Jack. All the gears have been set in motion, all the pieces set in place. Travel to the heart of the Chaos Shrine to bring it all to an end.

Fool's Missive XL

Letter to Jack II Far, far away lies a place that can only be considered another dimension. Here, the Lufenians constructed what they call "stations" to serve their needs. Stations are like homes to the Strangers, and in a sense, like a second home to me.

From the various stations, the Lufenians monitor and control the very fate of the world. With cold rationality they fine-tune the balance of light and dark, and even wield the power to reset existence if deemed necessary.

A long time ago, you told me that you wished to completely sever our world from the Lufenians and wrest the power to reset the world from their grip. To this end, you hatched a plot, and spoke at great length to me of my role within it.

But enough history. This message is likely my final piece of guidance to you before you warp to Lufenia, Jack. Become Chaos. Free us from the shackles of our would-be gods.

Fool's Missive Scrap
from Trials of the Dragon King

The Dragon's Cave During my circuit of Lufenian sites, I came across a most curious cavern. Though darkness ran rampant through the world, it seemed untouched. I stuck my head in to take the measure of the place, and sensed some alien power from deep within.

Remarkable though this all was, it seemed to have no bearing on Jack's machinations, so I shrugged and moved on. Still, I found myself strangely... drawn by a sublime light that flickered in the depths. A premonition struck me then, though of what I cannot say. When Jack and the others rip this world from the Lufenians' grasp, perhaps the source of that light will begin to stir.

Fool's Missive Scrap

from Wanderer of the Rift

About Over the years, the great bridge north of Castle Cornelia has suffered countless monster attacks. Though damaged time and time again, regular repair has seen that it yet stands. Despite the constant threat of monstrous assault, its location makes it a vital pipeline to the port city of Pravoka, and many merchants and traders pass over it each day. Though they cross with trepidation, they also dream of the day the warriors of light will stride across it to save the world

In time, that fateful day will come. The warriors of light will cross this bridge, see a land stained with darkness, and make a fateful decision. Though they will be hated and feared, they will gladly cast aside their humanity and sacrifice themselves to save the world.

New Fool's Missive

from Wanderer of the Rift

About Every time Chaos starts a cycle anew, the power of a certain dark crystal is needed as a trigger. This colossal energy source is kept safe in a well-protected hall, and I must say I find myself breathing a sigh of relief every time I visit, for within the crystal I see a reflection of myself. But as I stare up at its faceted surface, stained inky black with darkness, I wonder what the warriors of light will feel when they too stand here and gaze upon it.

The Fool's Missives contain no references to this place, but that is to be expected. Only Jack and his allies could set foot in this chamber, and only after Jack possessed the mantle of Chaos. Even I had no means of ingress... at the time, anyway