As promised, we now present further explorations of Akash: Path of the Five’s backstory. As previously mentioned, this is not essential reading: the story of Akash is designed to be enjoyed on its own. However, we are happy to provide this look into the lore for those with questions about the narrative. [b]**Spoilers ahead!**[/b] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/35639313/493ebe5357ac89a7dc8b885aeb9263384235989c.png[/img] The Al'wani often invoke the Goddess throughout the course of the game. The inference to be drawn from this is that they were, at their inception, a matriarchal society. This notion should seem paradoxical at first, however, as Akash is ruled by a village of male elders, who have risen to power in part due to the ever dwindling numbers of elemental women in the last days of the Great Decline. And it was in their desperation that an agreement was drafted with their human neighbors of Haven, to essentially exploit them in order to sustain their people. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/35639313/9f2574f3a2007f5a89735946633112935815b094.png[/img] At various points in the story, it is the male elders who constantly try to reinforce the status quo, at times nearly coming to blows with one-another over how to address the coming crisis, yet failing to address the fact that the often-invoked and long-held 'treaty of nonaggression' has failed to prevent the progressive stagnation of elemental society. What is to be gathered from all this? In short, [b] They are a matriarchy that has long since lost its matriarchs[/b]. As female voices have dwindled in their culture, they have lost integral connection their spirituality. The Goddess statue outside the village is symbolic of this, as it lies untended and in disrepair. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/35639313/5859f962d351ce3e4a79d7402e3cdeebb55887ce.png[/img] As result, as a people, they have lost their way, and in their desperation to prevent their race from dying out, they have made the troubling choice to exploit the human women of the neighboring village of Haven. (If this situation seems disquieting or untenable, that is because it is intended to be, from a literary perspective). [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/35639313/6f07fd57770f25c34b663efcbd7381edebd123d7.png[/img] Indeed, whereas the Al'wani elders often position their human neighbors as the aggressors throughout the story, [i]it is the actually the elementals themselves who are, in fact, the villains in this tale[/i]. And it is only upon this realization that Aurora is able confront the elders, end their injustice, and render a meaningful change for her people. Further aspects of the each path are designed to allude to this: Humans are often referred to negatively by characters in the story. For example, they are vilified by Caspian and the elders, who appear to have a more prejudiced view early on in the game. This is but one extreme, however, as each boy's perspective provides a slightly different albeit skewed impression about their human neighbors; some are decidedly more positive and optimistic (Lux), some are intrigued (Rowan), some are attracted to what is forbidden (Rocco), and some are apathetic or indifferent (Ignatius). Whether taken individually or collectively, all are based on incorrect generalizations because they are the byproduct of an isolated and xenophobic society (or to be blunt, good, old-fashioned ignorance). It is only through their experiences with Aurora as the game progresses that they can develop a more complete and less prejudiced perspective of their human neighbors. It is the culmination of their shared experience, and their re-connection with the Goddess, that the first steps toward a peaceful and open relationship with the humans of Haven is established during the peace talks the 3 days before the coming of age ceremony. This new outlook is symbolized by Aurora’s open invitation for them to join the festivities of the Al’wani harvest festival. It is a small but significant first step because, as we know, changing a long-held worldview is often a slow and difficult process. As we have stated before - Akash is meant to be enjoyed like 'junk food,' and is inherently intended as a lighthearted experience, so we don't believe this story is particularly deep. Grasping all the finer points of the narrative is not essential to enjoying the game. But we are pleasantly surprised that many of you requested further insight into the background and subtext, and to those inquisitive players, we will always be happy to provide. As always, thank you for reading, and for taking the time to play our game! [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/35639313/02978c45c194b3059b418a760de01b5edf273698.png[/img]